Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 26-5-125: Sheriff to serve notice - Secretary of election board

made agent for constructive service.

Service shall be made by the sheriff of the county of residence

of the contestee as to all offices, except that of sheriff, in which

case the same shall be served by the county clerk of the appropriate

county, and the certificate of returns of such sheriff or county

clerk, showing the inability to make such service within the

aforementioned time, shall be deemed sufficient proof of the absence

of the contestee, or the inability to serve such petition and notice

upon him, and to justify the constructive service herein provided.

When personal service is impossible, within said time, it is hereby

made the duty of said petitioner to serve said true copies upon the

secretary of the appropriate election board. Provided that for the

purpose of such constructive service, the Secretary of the State

Election Board and the secretaries of the county election boards are

hereby made and constituted the service agents for all candidates

who file declarations of candidacy with them. By filing his

declaration of candidacy, each candidate shall thereby be

conclusively presumed to have accepted the terms and provisions

hereof and specifically the aforesaid constructive service. When

constructive service becomes necessary, said constructive service

shall be made at the date, time and place of said hearing, after

proof of inability to personally serve the contestee has been

returned to the petitioner.