The periodic list offers a number of advantages:

• There is no need for a large administrative apparatus to maintain an ongoing list between elections.
• There is no need to track changes in voters’ personal information (including changes of address) between elections.
• The voter registration period is limited, with clearly identifiable beginning and end.
• Voter registration can be a high-profile event, maximizing voter awareness and heightening interest in the election.
• Registration is a suitable time for an intensive voter education campaign.
• The periodic list can be developed without using high-tech computer hardware and software.
• Because there is no plan for ongoing maintenance, the periodic list need not be computer-based. This is one of the ways it differs from the continuous list and the civil registry.
• Of the three performance criteria of currency, accuracy and completeness, the periodic list performs particularly well on currency.