Hoskins redistricting map dispute
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Justice Kavanaugh turned down Missouri's request to use its new GOP-friendly congressional map.
The fight now centers on whether Secretary Hoskins defied a state court order.
Background
Missouri's 2025 congressional map, passed as HB 1 and known as the 'Missouri First' map, was put on hold after a referendum campaign called People Not Politicians collected more than 305,000 signatures to force a statewide vote. The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the 2022 map remains the lawful map and that redistricting plans can be challenged by referendum. Secretary of State Denny Hoskins refused to put the measure on the ballot and continued pushing to use the 2025 map, prompting the state Supreme Court to open a contempt probe.
How it unfolded
- Sep 3, 2026The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Missouri Constitution permits a referendum on congressional redistricting maps, putting the 2025 'Missouri First' map on hold and leaving the 2022 map in effect.
- Sep 4, 2026The state Supreme Court issued an injunction barring use of the 2025 map.
- Sep 7, 2026Hoskins and Attorney General Catherine Hanaway asked U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh to put the state court's order on hold.
- Sep 8, 2026Justice Kavanaugh turned down Missouri's request. Hoskins issued a directive to local election officials to proceed with the 2025 congressional map.
- Sep 9, 2026The Missouri Supreme Court ordered Hoskins to show cause why he should not be held in contempt, citing his Sept. 8 directive. Hoskins must respond by noon Wednesday, with oral arguments scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The Missouri Supreme Court said the 2022 map is the only map in effect and that Hoskins' arguments about confusion and expense are misplaced given his own delay created those problems.
- Official
- Hoskins argued to the U.S. Supreme Court that a 'federal-election-administration disaster is unfolding in Missouri' and that the state is unsure whether it can switch its map in time for a timely federal election.
- Analysts
- The Election Law Blog wrote that Hoskins tried to game the system and exploit the Purcell principle to create legal chaos by holding primaries under the Missouri First map.
- Party
- Republicans Bob Onder and Rick Brattin filed a separate lawsuit to try to get the 2025 map put back in place for the November elections.
Still unverified
Hoskins' claim that a 'federal-election-administration disaster is unfolding in Missouri' is his own characterization in a court filing and has not been independently confirmed. The outcome of the contempt hearing and the 8th Circuit appeal of Judge Clark's order remain pending.