A Jackson County Circuit Court judge has confirmed the legality of Missouri’s congressional redistricting map for 2025, dismissing challenges that aimed to overturn it on constitutional grounds. This decision maintains the map’s status for the 2026 midterm elections unless successfully appealed.
The case, labeled Wise v. State of Missouri, was initiated by voters backed by the Campaign Legal Center. They argued the map contravened the Missouri Constitution by failing to maintain compact and contiguous districts.
Critics claimed the redefined boundaries, especially those impacting the 5th Congressional District, were a form of impermissible gerrymandering and were not authorized for mid-decade alterations absent a new census.
State attorneys countered by asserting that the General Assembly possesses broad rights to redraw districts at any point if not explicitly restricted. They highlighted improvements in the map, such as the reduction of split counties from nine to five and split municipalities from 31 to 13 when compared to the 2022 map.
Judge Adam Caine ruled in favor of the state after a bench trial. He indicated that the plaintiffs did not meet the demanding standard of proving that the map “clearly and undoubtedly” violated the constitution.
The judge further explained that, while the constitution does not specifically mention mid-decade redistricting, prior rulings have suggested this absence offers permissiveness, not prohibition.
Relatedly, Judge Limbaugh’s earlier decision supported legislative authority to act unless specifically barred.
Regarding compactness, the judge found that despite elongated shapes, the districts aligned with legal definitions of “closely united territory.” He dismissed claims that the map unduly benefitted one political side, as Missouri courts have consistently respected legislative judgment in such scenarios unless clear violations are evident.
This ruling does not resolve all disputes, as another challenge regarding mid-decade redistricting is still pending before the Missouri Supreme Court.
This confirmation of the map is seen as solidifying a configuration likely to support Republican efforts to gain an additional U.S. House seat. Currently, Missouri has eight congressional districts, comprised of six Republicans and two Democrats according to the previous 2022 map.
The 2025 revision alters the 5th District, which was a Democratic stronghold centered in Kansas City, held by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver since 2005.
