Federal judge temporarily blocks Missouri from using 2022 congressional map
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
A federal judge in Missouri has temporarily blocked the state from returning to its 2022 congressional map for the November election.
Chief U.S. District Judge Stephen Clark issued the ruling after the lawsuit was filed by U.S. Rep. Bob Onder, Missouri state Sen. Rick Brattin, along with two Missouri voters.
That lawsuit was filed in the aftermath of the Missouri Supreme Court’s ruling that would return the state to its 2022 congressional map.
In his ruling, Clark found the plaintiffs in the case have a high probability of succeeding on their claim that switching maps could nullify some voters’ primary ballots.
“Using a different map for the general election would wreak havoc on the fairness and orderliness of Missouri’s congressional elections, calling into question the candidacy of those nominated in the primaries and the votes of those who voted in the primaries. Widespread voter confusion would inevitably follow. The public interest factor thus weighs in favor of a TRO.”
The order will remain in effect for 14 days.
The court will also schedule a preliminary injunction hearing.
“Missouri is prepared to follow and comply with Chief Judge Clark’s order that binds the state to using the Missouri First map for the November General Election,” Missouri We appreciate Judge Clark’s support of the rights of Missouri voters, and intend to comply with this federal ruling. We maintain that changing the congressional map in between the primary and general elections is simply not feasible and profoundly unjust to Missouri voters,” said Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said.
People Not Politicians is taking two separate steps to challenge the ruling.
On Tuesday, the group first file dan appeal with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, requesting the higher court to review Clark’s TRO that requires the state to use the 2025 map.
Later on Tuesday, People Not Politicians asked Clark to pause his order while their appeal moves forward.
“This places Missouri’s election officials in the impossible position of choosing which court’s order to violate,” the filing reads. “It also places Missouri in the position of being forced to violate federal law by using districts other than those that were established by law.”
Brattin, who is challenging current Democratic Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, reacted to both the federal judge’s ruling and Justice Kavanaugh’s decision.
“While I am disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court was not able to grant relief, I understand that the standard for review in our nation’s highest court limits what they can do in an unprecedented case such as this one,” Brattin said. “I am glad for the citizens of our state that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri issued a stay that will allow the use of the Missouri First map for the general election, ensuring voters will not be disenfranchised by being forced to vote in a different district for November. The stakes are high for our nation in the upcoming election and I look forward to continuing to campaign across the 5th District, where I know many voters feel like it’s time to send eleven-term incumbent Emanuel Cleaver home.”
This is separate from Justice Kavanaugh’s decision not granting an emergency stay requested by Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins.