Supreme Court Blocks Missouri Congressional Map for Third Time

Why it matters locally: While directly concerning Missouri, this Supreme Court action on redistricting highlights the ongoing national debate about fair electoral maps, a process Illinois also undertakes every decade and which impacts the composition of its congressional delegation.

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court has rejected a federally approved congressional map for Missouri, marking the third time the high court has intervened in the state's redistricting efforts. The justices issued an order that blocks a federal appeals court ruling. That ruling would have revived the map for the November elections, which will determine control of Congress. The Supreme Court provided no explanation for its decision. No justices publicly noted a dissent to the order. The map at issue had received support from Republicans within the state. Critics of the map argued it favored the Republican Party.