Eric Holder: Missourians Won the Fight to Block Show Me State’s Mid-Decade Gerrymander for the 2026 Midterms

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court granted another emergency stay to block an Eighth Circuit order requiring the use of Missouri’s mid-decade congressional gerrymander after voting had begun for the 2026 midterm elections. As a result, Missourians will continue voting under the 2022-enacted congressional map. The National Redistricting Foundation (NRF) directed litigation on behalf of and provided financial support to People Not Politicians (PNP) in this appeal.

Eric H. Holder, Jr., the 82nd Attorney General of the United States, issued the following statement: 

“Are the anti-democracy zealots finally through? This is a victory for Missouri voters who refused to let their elected state leaders and some judges undermine their right to vote at every turn. While Missouri Republicans took directions from the White House instead of their own constituents, Missourians stood up for themselves and gave a resounding ‘NO’ to the power-hungry politicians trying to slice up their communities for partisan gain. Citizens organized, protested, and took this fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court—not once, not twice, but three times—and they won the fight to block the installation of an egregious mid-decade gerrymander for the 2026 midterms. Because of their tenacity, Missourians will continue to vote in this election on a fairer congressional map that keeps Kansas City together. 

“The story of the fight for democracy in Missouri is an example for the nation as we continue the struggle to protect the right to vote. There is no cavalry coming to save us—we, the people, are the cavalry, and we, the people, are more powerful than any political scheme or special interest or ideologically driven judge when we band together and take action.”