Missouri’s Supreme Court unanimously blocked the Trump-backed congressional map from being used in the November election and ordered a statewide referendum to decide whether to uphold or reject the map.

The ruling comes amid a broader political fight with a narrow GOP House majority and previous court activity on Voting Rights Act implications and mid-decade redistricting battles.

The dispute began after a special legislative session aimed at redrawing the 5th District, potentially expanding it to favor Republicans, with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) facing a remapped landscape.

Officials are racing to finalize ballots, resolve court rulings, and determine voting procedures for the midterms.

The emergency action signals the high court’s intent to resolve the dispute before the November election, as first ballots are set to go out soon.

A Sept. 14 deadline was set for a final decision, five days before overseas ballots are mailed, highlighting the federal/formal jurisdiction questions involved.

The case hinges on whether federal law governs the dispute and how the Supreme Court should handle a state-law electoral map issue, with potential impacts on primary-to-general transitions.

There is concern that using different maps for the primary and general elections could create voter confusion and affect candidate eligibility and administration.

The ruling also ordered on the November ballot the consideration of separate citizen-initiated measures to curb post-enactment changes by voters and restrict changing measures after enactment.

Some petitioners argue there is no genuine emergency, accusing state officials of manipulating timing to obtain relief.

Governor Kehoe blasted the ruling as an overreach by unelected judges, arguing it bypasses the legislative process.

The emergency filing drew support and opposition across national and state groups, reflecting a highly polarized redistricting debate.