The commission shall take testimony on the part of the contestant, and also on the part of the contestee, and shall have power to send for witnesses, books, and papers anywhere in the State of Alabama; shall have power to issue warrants, under the hand of the chair, to any judge, or clerk of any court of record or such other competent and discreet person as the commission may appoint, to take the deposition of witnesses at such time and place as the warrant shall direct, and the points as to which the testimony is to be taken shall be set forth in such warrant. The evidence taken in the case of a contest of the election of one officer may be used in the contest of the election of any other officer voted for at the same election and contested before the Legislature; provided, that notice that such evidence will be used, or offered, shall be given to the party or parties interested in such other office, so that all parties interested may be present and participate in the taking of such testimony, and provided the party instituting the contest does not object by filing a written objection with the commission.
Ala. Code § 17-16-68 (1975)