Court fast-tracking Nevada 'personhood' appeal

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The Nevada Supreme Court is fast-tracking an appeal by a group that wants to reshape abortion law by amending the state Constitution to define "personhood" as beginning at conception.

The high court on Thursday set an expedited briefing schedule to give it time to issue a ruling by May 18. That's the deadline for qualifying initiatives on the November ballot.

The court did not immediately schedule oral arguments.

Personhood Nevada wants the justices to overturn Carson City District Court Judge James Russell's Jan. 8 ruling that the petition was vague and violated a state law limiting a ballot question to one subject.

The petition challenge was argued on behalf of three plaintiffs represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood.