The Supreme Court has turned away an attempt to use a new Missouri congressional map backed by President Donald Trump. Friday's decision puts an end to a long-running legal dispute as absentee voting is underway in the midterm elections. The justices halted a last-minute revival of the Republican-friendly map by lower-court judges. The decision leaves in place a Missouri Supreme Court ruling requiring the state to hold the November election using a map adopted in 2022. A new map passed last year was aimed at helping Republicans gain an additional U.S. House seat. It was used in the August primary. But Missouri’s top court later ruled that it can’t take effect unless approved in a statewide referendum.

A federal appeals panel has ruled in favor of new Missouri congressional districts backed by President Donald Trump. But there is no immediate impact from Monday’s ruling. That’s because the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals delayed the effect of its order to allow time for an appeal. Missouri used the new districts in its August primary. But the state Supreme Court has said they can’t be used again unless voters approve a referendum on the November ballot. The 8th Circuit panel says it would violate the federal constitution to switch districts after the primary. That decision now could go back to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Dueling court orders have created new uncertainty for Missouri's congressional map just eight weeks before Election Day. A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the state from using its old districts. That came moments after the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a ruling from Missouri's top court to use the old districts instead of new ones backed by President Donald Trump. This legal battle has left voters unsure about their districts. Missouri's top court ruled against the new map due to a petition for a statewide vote. The federal judge's order remains for 14 days, allowing time for more court proceedings. Missouri officials say they are prepared to follow the order.

The Missouri Supreme Court has blocked a new U.S. House map backed by President Donald Trump from being used in the November election. The court ruled Thursday that the map cannot be used until voters first get a chance in November to uphold or reject it. Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had turned down a citizens’ petition seeking to put the map to a vote. But the court reversed that decision and ordered a referendum to be held. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway vowed to immediately appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Missouri’s new House districts were drawn to try to help the GOP win another seat. Trump blasted the decision in a social media post, calling it ridiculous.