Jefferson City. (AP File Photo)
JEFFERSON CITY, MO (AP) - A state trial judge has upheld Missouri's new congressional map, rejecting arguments that 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 claimed the districts were not sufficiently compact.
Cole County Circuit Judge Dan Green rejected the argument in a ruling Friday, following a three-day hearing earlier in the week.
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.
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