Section 16501 Of Article 1. Contest Procedures At General Elections From California Elections Code >> Division 16. >> Chapter 6. >> Article 1.

. The clerk of the superior court shall thereupon issue a citation for the defendant to appear at the time and place specified in the order, which citation shall be delivered to the sheriff and served upon the party at least five days before the time so specified, by either of the following methods:
  (a) Personally.
  (b) If the party cannot be found, by leaving a copy at the house where he or she last resided.