                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

TAKING DEPOSITIONS AND DECIDING CONTESTS (§ 24.2-810)

After service of a copy of the complaint and after reasonable notice to the
other party or parties, any party shall be authorized to take depositions to
sustain or invalidate the election. The proceedings shall take precedence over
all other business of the court or of any of the judges and shall be heard and
determined as soon as possible. The contest shall be heard and determined
without a jury, on the testimony thus taken and on any other legal testimony
that may be adduced by any party. In judging the contest, the court shall
proceed on the merits thereof and decide the same according to the Constitution
and statutes of the Commonwealth.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 24-436; 1952, c. 489; 1970, c. 462, § 24.1-243; 1981, c.
570; 1993, c. 641.