The high court also ruled Thursday that Crist must make a judicial selection from the all-white list of six names for the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach.

Crist, complaining Dec. 1 that none of "three well-qualified African-Americans" made the cut, asked the nominating commission to send him more names; but the commission refused.

In a written statement Thursday, Crist said he was "disappointed" with the ruling, but he will comply with it. "I remain committed to ensuring that the diversity of the people of Florida is represented in our judiciary," said Crist.

The court said the Constitution couldn't be ignored.