Sec. 8. (a) Upon the filing of a petition for a contest, the circuit court clerk shall notify the circuit court judge. The judge shall issue a notice to the county sheriff directing the sheriff to serve notice upon the contestee and all other persons named in the petition as candidates for nomination or election to the office to appear and answer the petition in the circuit court on a day to be fixed in the notice.
(b) The county sheriff shall also serve a copy of the notice described in subsection (a) on:
(1) the county election board; and
(2) the election division if the petition relates to a contest for the office of judge or prosecuting attorney.