The First Court of Appeals has ordered expedited briefing in the Medina v. Benkiser litigation challenging how the Texas Republican Party will be conducting its state convention.

According to the docket sheet, the brief of the voter bringing the challenge is due at 9:00 a.m. and the party has until 5:00 p.m. to file its response.

The convention is scheduled to begin today, so any further appeals will be equally expedited.

Here is the Chronicle’s background on the case:

A group of Republicans including supporters of Paul’s presidential campaign and others sued the party last week on grounds that it fails to follow state law that requires procedures to make the convention’s actions official. The group essentially alleges that party leaders ignore the rules to retain power and limit dissent — a charge the party denies.

After County Court-at-Law Judge Roberta Lloyd said Monday she had no jurisdiction to try the lawsuit, the group appealed to the all-Republican, Houston-based First Court of Appeals, which refused Wednesday to intervene on an emergency basis. That means the convention will kick off at 1 p.m. free of any court orders.