The Florida Supreme Court cleared the way for Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill judicial slots on the new Sixth District Court of Appeal by rejecting a legal challenge arguing that nominees for the positions did not meet residency requirements as specified in the state constitution.

State Sen. Geraldine Thompson filed the petition with the high court in November to disqualify some Sixth District nominees that a judicial nominating commission sent to the governor for consideration. The petition argued that some of the nominees were not residents of the newly drawn Sixth District, in violation of constitutional provisions and the panel’s rules.

A parallel complaint filed by attorney Whitney Boan challenged Fifth District candidates based on similar arguments.