The goal of a voter registration initiative is to develop a comprehensive voters list that will be as current and accurate as possible on Election Day. The decision on when to close registration depends on the particular circumstances in each jurisdiction or situation. Among other factors, the decision may be affected by the requirements for candidate nomination. Candidates must often have their nomination papers signed by eligible voters, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. To confirm that the signatories are eligible to vote, a preliminary voters list must at least be in place.
Following are other factors that influence the choice of date for closing registration:
- The length of time it takes to produce a final voters’ list, estimated on the basis of the pre-election rush to register.
- Whether electoral participation is mandatory or voluntary. In systems with mandatory registration, the closing date may be earlier because voters know that they might be fined if they do not keep their registration information current.
- The degree of centralisation of the voters list. Systems with greater decentralisation may be able to respond more quickly to changes in registration information, making it possible to close registration later.
Work Backwards to Determine Cut-Off Date
To establish a cut-off date for registration, it is best to start with the date of the election and work backwards, factoring in other key components of the electoral event. For example:
- How long is needed from the time the revision court completes its work to the production and distribution of a final voters list?
- Will the revision court sit for a day, a week, two weeks or longer?
- How much time is required from the completion of the preliminary voters list until the revision court begins its hearings?
- How much time is required for revision of the preliminary voters list?
- How long before Election Day should the parties or candidates receive the preliminary voters lists? Should it be one week, one month, three months or some other period before the election?
- How long will it take to register all voters and produce the preliminary voters list? Each variable could have a considerable impact on the total time required for registration.
Be Realistic
Ultimately, the task of the registration initiative is to produce the final voters list. In a system using a periodic list, the risk of failure is greater because much of the work must be completed within a short time, usually immediately before the election. This inevitably increases the pressure to perform, especially as the date of the election draws near.
Electoral administrators naturally wish to produce a voters list that is as current, accurate and complete, but they must be realistic about the logistical challenges involved and the administrative capacity of the election management authority both nationally and locally. To meet the challenges, administrators must have sufficient financial, material and human resources. Sometimes success will depend on the existence of a well-established social or government infrastructure that can respond to the demands. If planners have underestimated the time required to produce a voters list, it is best to take a lenient and forgiving approach rather than being stringent and demanding.
Cut-Off Dates with a Civil Registry
With a periodic or a continuous voters list, there usually is a closing date to register for the preliminary voters list and the final or definitive voters list. In contrast, registration never closes for the civil registry because it is simply too important for the administration of government services.
There may, however, be a cut-off date for changing information in the civil registry to take effect before an election. For example, if someone reports a change of address after the deadline, that person may be entitled to vote only in the electoral district where he or she resided before moving. Individuals not listed in the registry as of the cut-off date may not be allowed to vote. In practice this rarely happens because registration is generally mandatory for civil registries.
