The final voters list is generated through a computerized process or by manually transcribing information from the preliminary voters list, together with information from the revision court. In either case lists are often produced for small administrative units, of which there may be 100 or more in an electoral district. The list will then be arranged either geographically (i.e. by addresses) or alphabetically, or in some combination of the two approaches.

Central or Local Production

In some places the central election authority generates the final voters list, particularly if it is computerized. The local election authority forwards files to the central election authority, which assembles the data into a unified list of registered voters. This can then be printed in its entirety or by electoral district or polling station. Often, however, the list is not centralized. Time constraints rule out centralized production of a periodic voters list for which enumeration was held during the election period. If voters lists are maintained and printed locally, the local offices must have the computer systems and printing facilities required to successfully complete the task.

The polling station, or division, is generally the smallest electoral unit, often numbering up to around 400 electors. In administrative terms, it is the most manageable unit for organizing and printing the voters list.

In other places, the local electoral district office generates the final voters list to be used locally. The local office may send a copy of this list to the central election authority but it remains responsible for processing the list.

No Separate Voters List with Civil Registry

Countries with a civil registry have no separate department or agency responsible for the voters list as distinct from the registry, and they may even have no separate, physical voters list at all. In one country, the local tax office maintains civil registry records for all residents in its area. There are population specialists on its staff but it does not have a separate election unit. Further, no definitive voters list is printed. Instead, the voters list is a subset of the records kept in the population register. The register never closes because it plays an essential role in providing civic information to government departments and agencies, as well as to the private sector (e.g. banks and insurance companies). However, there may be a cut-off date for determining someone’s eligibility to vote and the electoral district where the person can vote. Changes after this date may be recorded in the civil registry but would not affect a person’s ability to participate in the election or the polling station at which he or she may vote.