Upon filing the petition or a portion of the petition containing the number of valid signatures required under 2-16-614, the official with whom it is filed shall immediately give written notice to the officer named in the petition. The notice must state that a recall petition has been filed, must set forth the reasons contained in the petition, and must notify the officer named in the recall petition that the officer has the right to prepare and have printed on the ballot a statement containing not more than 200 words giving reasons why the officer should not be recalled. A statement of justification may not be printed on the ballot unless it is delivered to the filing official within 10 days of the date notice is given.
§ 2-16-621, MCA