California Supreme Court denies Republicans' request to intervene and slow down Democrats' redistricting legislation, which the legislature is expected to pass on the floor Thursday.

The California Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected an effort by Republican legislators to delay Democrats from gerrymandering the state's congressional districts. The justices said the legal challenge, filed earlier this week, "failed to meet their burden of establishing a basis for relief at this time under" the California Constitution.

Newsom has called for a November special election to let voters decide on a new congressional map designed to flip up to five Republican-held seats.

Many California Democrats are reluctant to give up the state’s independently drawn congressional districts, but they say it’s a necessary step to counter gerrymanders in Republican states.

California lawmakers approved a redistricting plan to gain five U.S. House seats for Democrats, countering a similar move by Texas Republicans.

State legislators are scheduled to hold floor votes on Thursday, according to a schedule from Democratic leadership.