Decision could still be appealed to U.S. Supreme Court
The Missouri Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously blocked new congressional districts backed by President Donald Trump from being used in the November general election, ordering instead a statewide referendum on whether to uphold or reject the map.
Under the court’s order, the new lines — already used in the August primaries — cannot appear on the November ballot or take effect again unless voters first uphold the map passed by the Republican-led Legislature. The court placed the new districts on hold because citizens submitted petition signatures seeking the vote.
The ruling blocks a map that Republicans had hoped could help them win an additional House seat and hold onto their slim majority in the midterms.
The ruling still could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.