(a) A contestee must file an answer to the contestant's petition not later than:
(1) 10 a.m. of the 10th day after the date of service of citation on the contestee or 10 a.m. of the fifth day after the date the official result of the contested election is determined, whichever is later, if the contested election is less than statewide; or
(2) 10 a.m. of the 20th day after the date of service of citation, if the contested election is statewide.
(b) The citation must command the contestee to answer by the specified deadline.
Official text of the Texas Election Code as published by the Texas Legislative Council.