Missouri Supreme Court Upholds State Senate Map

The court's decision rejects a redistricting lawsuit, affirming the map used in the 2022 elections will continue to govern future elections.

A divided Missouri Supreme Court upheld the state Senate voting districts, dismissing a lawsuit that argued for greater emphasis on keeping communities intact.
The 5-2 ruling ensures the map first utilized in the 2022 elections remains for upcoming electoral cycles, amidst a broader national debate on redistricting.
The lawsuit divided Missouri's GOP, with a Senate committee supporting the map while a House committee sided with Democratic-aligned voters seeking its overturn.
The court prioritized 'compact' districts over keeping communities whole, a decision based on revised redistricting criteria from a 2020 constitutional amendment.
Dissenting opinions argued the map diluted votes in certain areas by not maintaining community integrity, highlighting the contentious nature of redistricting decisions.