CASE SUMMARY

On April 22, 2022, a Missouri congressional candidate filed a federal lawsuit against the State of Missouri and Missouri’s Secretary of State challenging the state’s congressional redistricting plan, enacted in 2012, as unconstitutionally malapportioned in violation of the one person, one vote requirements of the U.S. Constitution as well as the Missouri Constitution. Plaintiff also argued the state’s failure to enact a new congressional plan would result in violations of various state election laws setting candidate qualifying deadlines for primary elections. He sought a judicial declaration the 2012 plan was unconstitutional, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief barring its use in future elections, and a court order adopting a lawful plan in time for the 2022 election.

  • On May 9, 2022, the federal district court denied the plaintiffs’ request for a temporary restraining order.
  • On May 27, 2022, after the state enacted a new congressional plan, plaintiff filed an amended complaint challenging the new plan as a racial gerrymander in violation of the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.
  • On June 9, 2022, the district court dismissed the plaintiff’s original claims as moot, leaving only his racial gerrymandering claim active.
  • On July 8, 2022, the court dismissed the case on the grounds the 2022 elections were already too close for judicial action and the plaintiff had otherwise failed to establish his claim.

CASE LIBRARY

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, St. Louis Division - No. 4:22-cv-465