2026 congressional redistricting legal battles
One page that accretes the verified record as the story develops. Every fact keeps its date and its sources.
Missouri Supreme Court blocks congressional maps backed by Trump for midterms
The court ruled that the legislation containing the new districts did not go into effect and will not go into effect unless approved by voters.
Missouri governor Mike Kehoe said he was extremely disappointed in the decision by unelected judges.
Emanuel Cleaver's Kansas City-based district had been dismantled under the redrawn map.
Missouri Supreme Court rules redistricting map must go on ballot
The new Missouri map targeted Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's Kansas City-area district by shifting it eastward to include rural right-leaning voters.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked opponents of the new map to respond to the appeal by Monday.
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to allow the new congressional map to be used in the November election.
“The secretary and all of those acting in concert with him are restrained and enjoined from implementing, using or mandating the use of the congressional redistricting in HB 1 for the November 2026 general election or at any other time thereafter unless and until HB 1 is approved by the voters at the November 2026 general election and takes effect 30 days thereafter,”
Missouri court refuses to delay congressional map ruling, setting up Supreme Court appeal
The referendum was certified to the ballot as Proposition A.
Paul Berry III, the Republican nominee in the 1st District, filed a new case in federal court for the Eastern District of Missouri seeking to block use of the 2022 district map.
Attorney General Catherine Hanaway said an appeal was coming after the Missouri Supreme Court issued its decision.
Missouri Supreme Court throws out Trump-backed congressional maps
The new congressional map was signed into law in September 2025.
Five of the seven current justices on the Missouri Supreme Court, including the chief justice, were appointed by Republican governors.
President Donald Trump called the ruling ridiculous and argued it was unconstitutional.
Missouri court blocks GOP-drawn US House map for November election
The Missouri Supreme Court also ruled that Hoskins had wrongly rejected a petition for a ballot proposal making it difficult for politicians to change measures enacted by voters through citizen initiatives.
People Not Politicians Missouri sponsored the referendum petition.
Missouri's congressional map adopted after the 2020 census remains in effect for the November 2026 general election.
Democrats challenge Georgia congressional map under new SCOTUS rules
Black voters and voting rights organizations filed three lawsuits challenging the maps between December 2021 and January 2022.
Under the Callais standard, plaintiffs must present evidence supporting a strong inference of intentional racial discrimination and distinguish the effects of race from those of partisan politics.
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a lower court judgment striking down Georgia's 2021 maps and returned the case to U.S. District Judge Steve Jones.
Democrats' redistricting push in blue state hits legal snag
Democrats control seven of Maryland's eight congressional districts.
The Maryland Senate Republican Caucus released a statement praising the ruling.
Rep. Andy Harris is the lone Republican in Maryland's congressional delegation.
Maryland court rules redistricting amendment cannot go on November ballot
A Maryland court ruled that a proposed constitutional amendment cannot appear on the November ballot.
Judge Robert Thompson ruled that lawmakers used “intentionally misleading” wording in the ballot question.
Republican Rep. Andy Harris is the chair of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.
“The court has no choice but to enjoin the board of elections from including ballot Question 3 on the general election ballot for November 3, 2026,”
Missouri judge hands Trump and GOP major redistricting win ahead of midterms
“do not apply to congressional redistricting enacted by the General Assembly,”
Judge hands Trump and GOP major redistricting win ahead of midterms
Maryland plans August special session for 2028 redistricting
Rep. Jamie Raskin advocated for Maryland to redraw its congressional lines in time for the 2026 midterms.
Maryland will hold a special legislative session in August to begin the process of potentially redrawing its congressional lines ahead of the 2028 election.
Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk announced the special session in a joint statement on Tuesday.