Jefferson City, Missouri - A judge in Missouri on Wednesday ruled in favor of a newly drawn congressional map, allowing it to be used in the 2026 Midterm elections and handing the Republican Party a significant win.

Cole County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Green on Wednesday rejected an attempt to subject Missouri's new congressional map to a statewide vote, paving the way for it to be used in November's midterm elections.

"Changing the maps at this late juncture is not just 'impractical,' it is impossible," Green said in a ruling that sided with the Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, a Republican.

Hoskins argued the state's constitution wouldn't allow a referendum on redistricting maps and that such a move would disrupt the midterms.

Such a ruling comes as a victory for the GOP, as the new Missouri electoral map favors the Republican Party, which will be important if the party is to retain control of the federal House of Representatives in November.

Green's ruling was made necessary by a lawsuit filed by People Not Politicians (PNP), an activist group fighting against gerrymandering in the state of Missouri.

"There are some more games left to play here," said PNP lawyer Charles Hatfield in response to the decision. "We are optimistic about our chances at the Supreme Court."

The group began gathering signatures after the redistricting was passed last year, with the goal to force Missouri to pause the legislation and call a referendum.

While they ended up getting enough signatures, Hoskins claimed the referendum would not qualify for the midterms.

"The most important thing that happened today is that there was a ruling," said PNP Executive Director Richard von Glahn.

"The state has tried to slow down the judicial process for months and now that we are out of Cole County, the real decision will be made. Our case now moves forward."