The contestee shall, within ten days after the complaint is served on him, file in the clerk's office an answer, in which he shall admit or deny the allegations on which the contestant relies, or state that he has no knowledge or information concerning an allegation which shall be deemed denial, and state any other defenses, in law or fact, on which he relies. If no answer is filed within the time prescribed, the contestee shall not be heard to assert any claim or objection which is required by this section to be stated in the answer.
No enlargement or amendment of the answer, except as to form, shall be permitted save by leave of court as provided in Rule 1:8 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
Code 1950, § 24-435; 1952, c. 489; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-242; 1981, c. 570; 1993, c. 641.
Structure Code of Virginia
Chapter 8 - Recounts and Contested Elections
§ 24.2-800. Recounts in all elections
§ 24.2-801. Petition for recount; recount court
§ 24.2-801.1. Petition for recount of election for presidential electors; recount court
§ 24.2-802.2. General recount procedures
§ 24.2-802.3. Costs of the recount
§ 24.2-803. Contest of election to General Assembly
§ 24.2-804. Contest of elections of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General
§ 24.2-806. Contest of other primaries and elections
§ 24.2-807. Contest only on complaint of unsuccessful party; contents of complaint
§ 24.2-808. Time of filing and service of complaint; enlargement or amendment of complaint
§ 24.2-809. Filing answer; contents; enlargement or amendment of answer
§ 24.2-810. Taking depositions and deciding contests
§ 24.2-811. Costs and issuance of certificate of election
§ 24.2-812. Proceedings when court decides no valid election has been held