Missouri Supreme Court finds Secretary Hoskins in contempt over congressional map

The Missouri Supreme Court found Secretary of State Denny Hoskins in civil contempt Thursday for violating its order blocking use of the state’s Republican-drawn 2025 congressional map.

The court imposed no fine or other punishment because Hoskins later reversed course and directed local election officials to use Missouri’s 2022 congressional districts for the November election.

Chief Justice W. Brent Powell wrote that Hoskins violated the court’s Sept. 3 injunction when he told election officials to use the newer map after a federal judge issued a conflicting order.

Hoskins argued the federal ruling prevented him from following the Missouri Supreme Court’s order. The justices rejected that argument, saying he could have told election officials to take no action while the courts sorted out the conflict.

The court also called Hoskins’ claim that he was merely trying to comply with the federal order “disingenuous.”

The U.S. Supreme Court later blocked the federal order, clearing the way for Missouri to use the 2022 congressional map.

The Missouri Supreme Court said Hoskins purged his contempt by correcting his instructions to local election officials.

That means Missouri is now moving forward with the 2022 congressional districts for the Nov. 3 election, while voters will still decide the fate of the 2025 map.