A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on Tuesday to stop Missouri officials from using old congressional maps for the midterms. This ruling allows the state to use the new Republican-favorable map that was passed in 2025. Eastern District of Missouri Chief Judge Stephen Clark decided that switching maps now would hurt the public interest.
The judge wrote that denying voters their right to have primary votes counted causes significant harm. He said employing a different map for the general election would destroy the process fairness. The Daily Wire reported that this decision comes after Rep. Bob Onder and other plaintiffs argued their votes would be invalidated otherwise.
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. We maintain that changing the congressional map in between the primary and general elections is simply not feasible and… https://t.co/Ha3V07jaJ9
— Attorney General Catherine L. Hanaway (@AGCHanaway) September 8, 2026
Clark is an appointee of President Donald Trump. He agreed with the argument that the old maps cannot be reinstated for the November election. The new map is expected to give Republicans a 7-1 advantage in House seats instead of the old 6-2 split.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe said the state plans to follow the federal court’s order immediately. He noted that voters and candidates deserve consistency and certainty without rules changing between elections. “We are grateful for Chief Judge Clark’s decision to provide much-needed clarity for Missouri voters and the election process,” Kehoe said.
Secretary of State Denny Hoskins also confirmed he would follow the federal order despite threats from the state Supreme Court. The state court had previously ruled that the new map needed a referendum and must be rejected. Hoskins told the New York Post that he will protect Missouri values from those trying to change the rules.
We are grateful for Chief Judge Clark’s decision to provide much-needed clarity for Missouri voters and the election process.
With today marking the deadline for changes to the November ballot, the Missouri First Map will be used in the general election.
Voters and candidates… pic.twitter.com/guLEKztbh5
— Governor Mike Kehoe (@GovMikeKehoe) September 8, 2026
Rep. Bob Onder expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. “I’m very very pleased with the results. I think Judge Clark got it right,” Onder told The New York Post. He argued that forcing a switch after 1.2 million Missourians voted in primaries created an absurd situation.
The Missouri Supreme Court threatened to hold Hoskins in contempt for following the federal judge’s order. They ordered a hearing for Thursday to decide if he abided by their previous decision. However, the state Attorney General said the state is prepared to comply with the binding federal order.
Earlier Tuesday, Justice Brett Kavanaugh refused to hear an emergency appeal submitted by state GOP officials.
