SECTION 230:20-5-6. Notice to contestee

  Once a contest of candidacy petition is filed and the hearing is scheduled, it is the duty of the petitioner to notify the contestee within 24 hours. The petitioner delivers to the County Sheriff a copy of the petition and a copy of the Notice of Hearing. If the contest involves a candidate for County Sheriff, the petitioner delivers to the County Clerk a copy of the petition and a copy of the Notice of Hearing. The Sheriff (or County Clerk) then serves the materials on the contestee. If the Sheriff cannot serve the contestee within the 24-hour period after the petition is filed with the Secretary, he must notify the petitioner in writing that he is unable to perform service. The petitioner then must serve the Secretary of the County Election Board with evidence that the contestee could not be served. Such evidence shall be presented to the Secretary at the time the hearing begins.