Missouri’s highest court has cemented the state’s new mid-decade redistricting map by ruling it entirely constitutional.

The 4-3 ruling in Luther v. Hoskins found the map drawn by the GOP-controlled Legislature doesn’t violate the state constitution.

The key word in the debate among judges was “when” redistricting can be done. Writing for the majority opinion, Judge Zel M. Fischer argued that “when” simply triggers a mandatory duty and does not act as a cage for lawmakers.  

“Simply put, ‘when’ does not mean ‘only when,’” Fischer wrote.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway praised the decision, saying it reinforces the authority of elected representatives to set district lines.

“The Missouri Supreme Court has reinforced what we’ve known all along – the Missouri FIRST Map and mid-decade redistricting are constitutional,” Hanaway said. “The Missouri Constitution doesn’t prohibit mid-decade redistricting, and the court rightly refused to read in a new limit on the legislature’s power.”

“This map will help President Trump by giving us a much better shot at retaining the Republican majority in the U.S. House,” Sen. Rick Brattin wrote on X. “If Democrats take the majority, the Trump agenda is dead. Time to deliver for Missouri and America First!”

U.S. Rep. Mark Alford also celebrated the decision on social media, calling it a major win for the state’s conservative values.

“This is a HUGE win for Missouri families, election integrity, and common-sense leadership,” Alford wrote on X. “We’re sending strong, conservative voices to Washington who will fight for YOU—not the radical agenda coming from the left. “

Republicans will get a favorable 7-1 split of the state’s eight congressional seats. The map pushes out a Democratic seat in the Kansas City area held by Rep. Emanuel Cleaver.

“I look forward to representing the New Fourth District from the urban core of KC to the cornfields of Camden County,” Alford said.

Prior to the Supreme Court ruling, the Cole County Circuit Court upheld Gov. Mike Kehoe’s authority to call the special session where the map was created.

Additionally, the Jackson County Circuit Court previously found the Missouri FIRST Map meets the requirements for equal population and compactness.

“We’ll continue to vigorously defend the General Assembly’s authority and the Missouri First Map,” Hanaway said.