JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A state trial judge upheld Missouri's new congressional map, rejecting arguments the redrawn districts do not meet the requirements of the state constitution. The new eight-district U.S. House map was challenged in two lawsuits that claim the districts were not sufficiently compact.
Cole County Circuit Judge Dan Green rejected the argument in a ruling on Friday, following a three-day hearing this week. Attorneys for the plaintiffs say they're likely to appeal Green's ruling next week to the Missouri Supreme Court, which ordered the legal review of the new map.
Missouri's congressional districts were redrawn last year to reflect changes in the population and the state's loss of a ninth congressional district. The Republican-controlled Missouri Legislature enacted the redistricting plan after overriding the veto of Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.
The Missouri Supreme Court last month ordered further legal review of the redistricting map.
