PersonUS

Lavenski Smith

US Circuit Judge on the 8th Circuit, its chief judge from 2017 to 2024.

Lavenski Smith has served as a US Circuit Judge on the 8th Circuit since 2002 and was its chief judge from 2017 to 2024.

Last refreshed: 24 September 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Why did the 8th Circuit put Missouri back on the 2025 map?

Timeline for Lavenski Smith

#18 21 Sept

Joined the panel's order

US Midterms 2026: 8th Circuit puts Missouri on 2025 map

View full timeline →

Background

Lavenski Smith is a US Circuit Judge on the 8th Circuit. He joined the Court in 2002 and served as its chief judge from 2017 to 2024.

His role places him in a federal appellate court that reviews cases from its circuit. In September 2026, coverage identified Smith as a member of the panel considering Missouri's congressional map dispute.

That panel role shows how appellate judges can shape election rules through rulings on state maps. The September 2026 case concerned which Missouri congressional map would govern the November election.

Common Questions

Who is Lavenski Smith?

Lavenski Smith is a judge on the US Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, appointed in 2002 and its chief judge from 2017 to 2024.

What did the 8th Circuit rule on Missouri's map?

On 21 September 2026, judges Loken, Stras and Smith ordered Missouri to use its 2025 congressional map, HB 1, for November, ruling the 2022 map unconstitutional.Source: event

Did the 8th Circuit's Missouri ruling take effect immediately?

No. The panel stayed its own order until 5pm Central time on 28 September 2026, pending a Supreme Court response to an emergency application.Source: event

How the World Sees Them

Missouri challengers

Call the panel's use of Purcell backwards, since it changes rules closer to the election than the order it reversed. They took the fight to the Supreme Court within a day.

8th Circuit panel majority

Held the 2022 map violates the Constitution's Article I apportionment clause and that the 2025 map confuses voters less. Critics, including Law Dork's Chris Geidner, say the panel inverted the Purcell principle against late changes.