The US Supreme Court rejected the congressional district map newly drawn by Missouri. The coming election will accordingly be conducted on the boundaries previously in use.

Missouri had prepared a redrawn map ahead of the election, but it was blocked in a lower court and the case reached the Supreme Court, which decided the new map would not apply.

District boundaries in the United States are redrawn every ten years following the census. Disputes over state legislatures adjusting lines with political advantage in view recur, and litigation is frequent.

Courts tend to grow cautious about changes as an election approaches, on the reasoning that altering a map close to polling day confuses voters.

Missouri voters will now cast ballots under the existing boundaries. The lawfulness of the new map itself may be addressed in separate proceedings.

Redistricting cases are running in several states at once. Divergent outcomes could increase pressure for a uniform federal standard.