The Missouri Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the state’s new congressional map, ruling that Governor Mike Kehoe had constitutional authority to call the 2025 special legislative session. The decision clears the path for the map to take effect in the 2026 midterm elections.
Under the new map, Republicans are expected to hold a 7-to-1 advantage in Missouri’s congressional delegation. Currently, the state’s House of Representatives includes six Republican members and two Democratic representatives.
During a hearing before the court, Attorney Sharon Jones, representing the NAACP of Missouri, argued that last September’s special session did not meet the legal definition of an “extraordinary” session. Jones stated: “To throw out the phrase on ‘extraordinary occasion’ as some sort of near throat clearing would not comply with the way that we interpret our Constitution.”
Joe Kiernan from the Missouri Attorney General’s office defended the special legislative session, asserting: “No one doubts that appellants have strident political objections. What they are not entitled to is to repackage those objections as a lawsuit asking this court to rewrite Missouri’s constitution. The governor wields discretionary authority to call extraordinary sessions.”
The unanimous ruling cited Article IV, Section 9 of the Missouri Constitution, which grants the governor discretion to determine when an extraordinary occasion has arisen and to call such a session. The court emphasized that the provision does not limit the governor’s discretion or require an “unusual” occasion for a special session.
Lawmakers approved the new congressional map and proposed a constitutional amendment during the special session. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway stated: “This opinion represents yet another win for the people of Missouri and the Missouri FIRST Map, and another loss for left-wing lawfare. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Governor Kehoe acted within his constitutional authority when he convened the special session which passed the Missouri FIRST Map.”