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, maximising 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 doesn't need computer-based. This is one of the ways it differs from the continuous list and the civil registry; and
Of the three performance criteria of currency, accuracy and completeness, the periodic list performs particularly well on currency.
