1. At the time of filing, the contestee shall be served with a copy of the petition by the contestant or his representative. With the copy of the petition shall be included a written notice of the time and place of the petition’s filing, the grounds on which the election is contested, the time and place for the taking of depositions and the names of all witnesses to be examined. If the contestee is not found within two days after the petition is filed, the copy of the petition and notice shall be left at the residence address shown on contestee’s declaration of candidacy and by posting the petition in a conspicuous place in the office of the secretary of the senate or the chief clerk of the house, as the case may be.

2. At the time of filing, a copy of the petition and notice shall also be transmitted to the secretary of state and each election authority responsible for conducting the election in any area where an alleged irregularity occurred.

3. Not later than fifteen days after the petition is filed, the contestee may file an answer to the petition, specifying reasons why his election should not be contested. At the time of filing, a copy of the answer shall be transmitted to the contestant. If the contestee wishes to contest the validity of any votes given to the contestant, he shall include in his answer a notice of the time and place for the taking of depositions, the grounds on which the votes will be contested, and the names of all witnesses to be examined.