Voter Registration Module

Central to almost all electoral systems and their attendant processes is Voter Registration. Broadly speaking, voter registration is the process of verifying eligible and/or potential voters, and entering their names and other substantiating information on a voters list. However, the processes for collecting, storing and using this data varies greatly from one system to another.
This module examines the principles that underpin good Voter Registration and the administrative and logistical considerations that need to be taken into account when developing and implementing a Voter Registration system.
However, the BRIDGE Project always strives to avoid prescribing any element of the electoral process. In an effort to treat electoral administrators as professionals, the project offers them the opportunities to look at the pros and cons of a particular element of electoral process. And so, this module begins with the question “Why have Voter Registration?” If the group decides that voter registration is necessary (and indeed, most participants are enrolled in the course because they feel it is) this module then systematically examines the subject of Voter Registration.
Firstly, the module examines potential principles that could guide those responsible for developing and administering Voter Registration systems. As an extension of this there is also the opportunity to examine and discuss potential franchise criteria, types of registers and the cost of voter registration.
The BRIDGE Project partners believe that for any element of electoral process to be successful it must be appropriate to the context and it must be “owned” by those administering it. In light of this, several types of Voter Registration systems are presented to the participants and they are encouraged to explore the relative merits of each for their contexts.
Once a system (or combination of systems) has been agreed upon, the next part of the module explores approaches to administering that system. These can include but are not limited to such things as:

Needs Assessment
Periodic list, continuous list or civil registry?
Administrative framework
Registration data collection and management
Procurement
Operational infrastructure
Voter education specific to Voter Registration
Worker selection and training
Compiling registration data
Storing registration data
Costs associated with voter registration services and materials
Production of a preliminary voters list
Challenges to the preliminary voters list
Production of a final voters list
Distribution of the final voters list
Evaluation of the process

Once a thorough examination of all of the above elements of voter registration systems is completed, the participants are then given the opportunity to work together to develop frameworks for a voter registration operational plan which can be taken with them back to their countries of origin and used as the basis for any voter registration planning tools they wish to utilize in helping them to administer the fairest, most accessible and effective voter registration processes for their contexts.
In January 2015, the module was updated to include best practices in the procurement of voter registration materials and services as well as to include aspects of dispute resolution in the context of voter registration. Finding a Voter Registration system which is in line with the infrastructure capabilities of a country as well as the expertise of the available human resources can be a tedious process. The update carefully integrated all of these aspects to assist EMBs and electoral stakeholders in choosing the Voter Registration system that would be the most effective in their particular contexts.
In early 2016 the module was updated in terms of activities, resources and language. The module represents the first updated module under BRIDGE version 3.

Key Understandings

There are different reasons for registering voters
Voter Registration should be based on clear guiding principles
Each democracy sets the franchise criteria for its electoral events
There are different types of voter registration
Voter Registration processes should be based on good, enforceable law
For a Voter Registration process to be effective, staff must be properly trained
For a Voter Registration process to be effective, it must include a comprehensive Voter Education program
It is important to process and manage voter registration data efficiently
An exhibition and challenge period provides an opportunity to adjust the voter registration process
A clear plan is a key element in the design of a voter registration process
Stakeholders participation is important to increase trust and transparency in the process and the voters’ roll
High tech registration solutions need the right conditions to be successful
Voters Roll Audit is an important instrument to increase trust in the registration process and the voters’ roll

Module Objectives

To explore the principles of voter registration (Why have registration? What are the criteria for eligibility?)
To understand the legal foundations and three main types of voter register
To practice the major operational steps towards successful voter registration
To provide election designers, policy makers and advocacy groups with alternative approaches to voter registration
To expose participants to the logistical arrangements and implementation steps of a voter registration exercise
To expose participants to best practices in the procurement of services and materials in the context of voter registration
To provide participants with benchmarks related to the costs of voter registration
To expose participants to practical case studies of dispute resolution in the context of voter registration