Supreme Court blocks Missouri GOP map for third time, allows Trump voter database
Source: ABC News · All ABC News reports
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Summary
The ABC News segment reported two late-September 2026 Supreme Court orders issued days before the November 3 midterms. The first unanimously blocked Missouri from using a 2025 Republican-drawn congressional map, requiring instead the 2022 map; this map had been struck by the Missouri Supreme Court because a referendum petition placed it before voters in 2026. The second order allowed the Trump administration to proceed with an expanded SAVE database combining Social Security and citizenship data for states to verify voter eligibility, though federal law bars systematic removals within 90 days of an election. Anchor Marcus and deputy political director Ben Seagull discussed short-term midterm effects on House control and longer-term implications for 2028, noting advocacy concerns about eligible voters being purged. Sourcing relied on the rulings themselves with no named outside experts or graphics beyond the on-air discussion.
Editorial Assessment
The broadcast accurately conveyed the outcomes and practical effects: Missouri will use the existing map (currently 6R-2D delegation), preserving Democratic chances in two districts, while the database change has limited immediate effect due to the purge prohibition. Viewers receive clear timelines (38 days out, ballots already mailed) but miss fuller context on the Missouri map's origins in mid-decade redistricting pushed by Trump and why the state supreme court unanimously blocked it pending referendum. The segment's language leans against the GOP effort by emphasizing Democratic seat protection and "electoral chaos" avoided, while presenting voter-database concerns from advocacy groups without equal time on documented non-citizen voting cases or administration justifications. Overall a solid explainer that could have been more neutral on partisan stakes and noted the 6-3 split on the database.
Key Moments
Justices rejected appeal requiring Missouri to use newly redrawn GOP-favored congressional map for third time
Unanimous unsigned SCOTUS order on Sept. 25, 2026, citing Purcell principle, ongoing voting, and Missouri Supreme Court referendum ruling; 2025 map never took effect.
New Missouri map would have made it easier for GOP to flip a Democrat-held seat
2025 map redrew lines to target Rep. Emanuel Cleaver's Kansas City-based district; current delegation is 6R-2D under 2022 map.
Supreme Court cleared way for Trump administration to overhaul citizen verification database using Social Security and citizenship data
6-3 emergency stay of lower-court block on expanded SAVE system; liberals dissented, warning of risks to naturalized citizens.
Database changes will not affect this election because of the 90-day rule preventing voter-roll removals
National Voter Registration Act's quiet period applies; ruling allows individualized checks but limits systematic purges 38 days before Nov. 3.
Notable Concerns
- Headline and phrasing emphasize "rebuff to GOP" and Democratic advantage without noting the Missouri Supreme Court's independent state-law ruling
- Voter-database segment highlights risks of removing eligible voters but gives less detail on past errors or the majority's legal rationale under federal law
Sources Consulted
- US Supreme Court bars Republican-drawn map in Missouri for third time
- For the third time, Supreme Court declines to allow Missouri to use congressional map expected to aid Republicans
- Supreme Court rejects GOP’s third effort to capture Democratic House seat in Missouri
- Supreme Court clears way for Trump administration to use modified voter verification database
- Supreme Court Allows Use of Trump Administration’s Expansive Database for Voter Screening
- Government can use Social Security data to identify noncitizen voters, Supreme Court rules
- Supreme Court again blocks Missouri's new congressional map drawn to give Republicans an edge
- The 2026 Midterms: Key Dates and Events