---
type: "LegalText"
title: "2 U.S.C. § 385"
description: "Default of contestee"
jurisdiction: "us"
corpus: "united_states_code"
kind: "code_section"
title_number: 2
title_name: "THE CONGRESS"
chapter_number: "12"
chapter_name: "CONTESTED ELECTIONS"
section: "385"
citation: "2 U.S.C. § 385"
status: "current"
release_point: "119-100"
release_date: "2026-06-26"
source: "official"
source_url: "https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/100/xml_usc02@119-100.zip"
source_identifier: "/us/usc/t2/s385"
source_file: "data/legal/raw/us/code/title-02/usc02.xml"
source_hash: "f175a07c718f2daa0bb85cd7e0f18b87edd722008ba276bf60f9de715bde3d1b"
raw_snapshot_hash: "ec6910a011de0a97d11b263bbcd649766188311e429ae6bdb5fc2cf5e6ebbb9e"
text_hash: "99ff6acfd96d0bd595bea7439a4efa9229d4940040b7b9ab3d57fb46d38f398a"
retrieved_at: "2026-07-04"
confidence: "official"
tags: ["legal", "us-code"]
---

# 2 U.S.C. § 385 - Default of contestee

## Text

The failure of contestee to answer the notice of contest or to otherwise defend as provided by this chapter shall not be deemed an admission of the truth of the averments in the notice of contest. Notwithstanding such failure, the burden is upon contestant to prove that the election results entitle him to contestee’s seat.

(Pub. L. 91–138, § 6, Dec. 5, 1969, 83 Stat. 286.)

## Notes

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective DateSection applicable with respect to any general or special election for Representative in, or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress of the United States occurring after Dec. 5, 1969, see section 19 of Pub. L. 91–138, set out as a note under section 381 of this title.