Board of Registrars
The Madison County Board of Registrars consists of three members. Each member is independently appointed by the Governor of Alabama, the Alabama State Auditor, and the Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. Board members are appointed for four-year terms.
The Board of Registrars manages the registration of voters and maintenance of all voter registration records for Madison County. At the conclusion of the voter registration period, prior to each election, the Board certifies the list of eligible voters used to identify voters at each precinct. At the conclusion of each election, the voter lists are returned to the Board where each voter’s participation becomes part of his or her voting history. The Board also makes determinations on all provisional ballots cast on Election Day.
For questions or more information contact the Board of Registrars at (256) 532-3510.
A Madison County native, Lynda’s professional career has focused on public service. She served as Chief Clerk in the Madison County Tax Collectors office – working for three collectors. After retirement in 1999, she worked as Business Manager for one of the largest real estate and development firms in North Alabama until her appointment to the Board of Registrars. Lynda was appointed Chairman of the Board of Registrars by Governor Bob Riley in October of 2003. Governor Riley then appointed her to a second term and she was appointed for a third term and fourth term by Governor Robert Bentley. Her most recent appointment was by Governor Kay Ivey in 2019. She is a current member of the Alabama Association of Boards of Registrars. She has served as vice-president of this association. Lynda was also a member of the Alabama Voter Registration Advisory Board. Lynda’s past community service include membership on the Beautification Board for the City of Huntsville and as a board member of the American Heart Association of Huntsville. Lynda is married to Forrest (Randy) Hairston and they reside in Hampton Cove. Both are active members of Owens Cross Roads Church of Christ and are involved in numerous other community activities. They are the proud parents of one son and have a beautiful granddaughter.
Contact Lynda Hairston at 256-532-3519 or via email to
lhairston@madisoncountyal.gov.
Janette was appointed to Madison County Board of Registrars in October 2019, by Agriculture and Industry Commissioner, Rick Pate. Janette has been in various positions working with the people of her community. She grew up in her family’s Grocery Store Business in Denham Springs, Louisiana and managed the business for 20 years. She later changed careers serving people in the Health and Property & Casualty Industry for over 10 years. Janette loves serving and helping others and has enjoyed the opportunities that have come her way. She is appreciative to be appointed to serve Madison County and looks forward to her service to the people.
She resides in Owens Cross Roads, Alabama with her husband, Keith Smith. Keith and Janette have three beautiful daughters. She is an active member of Owens Cross Roads, Church of Christ and volunteers in several areas. She enjoys tennis, walking, cooking, and being with her family and friends.
Contact Janette Smith at 256-532-3517 or via email to
jsmith2@madisoncountyal.gov.
Board Member Sydney Dean was appointed by Alabama State Auditor Jim Zeigler in July 2022. Her education, experience and history of community service has prepared her to take on the important duties and responsibilities of the Registrar’s Office. Both she and her husband Paul are proud Army veterans. He as an Apache helicopter pilot, and she as an Army attorney. Due to re-assignments, she was privileged to attend two law schools, University of Texas School of Law, and Mississippi College School of Law. After graduation from The Judge Advocate General’s School in Charlottesville, Virginia, she joined Paul on active duty.
Through her legal and military training Sydney learned accuracy and attention to detail – important requirements for ensuring trustworthy and precise elections. During her military career she served as Chief of Legal Assistance, Senior Trial Counsel, and Acting Chief of Justice for the largest combat contingency force armored division in the free world, First Cavalry Division. She has extensive experience prosecuting and defending a myriad of criminal cases and has served as Director of the Division Tax Program, as well as in administrative, contract, medical malpractice, insurance, and law of war arenas, among others. From experience with extraordinary volumes of work she is ready for busy election cycles.
After their children were born Sydney left the Army to fight the battle of the home front! When Paul retired from the Army the Dean family settled in beautiful Huntsville, Alabama, where she entered private practice. Daughter Anna is an archeologist who lives in Houston with her husband Chris, a cancer researcher. Youngest daughter Grace attends the University of Alabama – Roll Tide! Community involvement includes serving on the board of Honoring Veteran Legacies, Finance Council at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, and representing the indigent pro bono through her law practice, for which she has been recognized by the Alabama Access to Justice Commission and the Alabama State Bar, among others.
Sydney believes that the foundation of our democracy is grounded in part on the vigilance of registrars who stand at the front lines to help ensure fair and accurate elections. She is honored to be appointed to do such important work in service to the people of Alabama and the nation.
Contact Sydney Dean at 256-532-3518 or via email to
sdean@madisoncountyal.gov.