Missouri Supreme Court holds Secretary of State Denny Hoskins in contempt, then clears it
The Missouri Supreme Court briefly held Secretary of State Denny Hoskins in contempt for failing to follow a court order regarding the use of congressional district maps. Hoskins purged the contempt by agreeing to use the 2022 map, ending a dispute that threatened to delay ballot printing.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the legal tensions surrounding election administration and the authority of state courts over executive officials in the US.
The Missouri Supreme Court found Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins was in contempt of court on Thursday. Chief Justice W. Brent Powell announced the decision during a hearing on Thursday afternoon. Then Powell said that because Hoskins dropped his attempt to use the 2025 congressional map, Hoskins was no longer in contempt. "The civil comtemptor has, at all times, the power to purge himself of any attempt by complying with the order of this court," said Justice Brent Powell during a hearing on Thursday. "The court finds the secretary has since corrected his contemptuous conduct by directing all local election authorities to use the 2022 congressional district map. The secretary, therefore, has purged himself of said contempt." The court was weighing whether to hold Hoskins in contempt after accusing him ignoring a court order when he directed local election officials to use the 2025 congressional map.
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