After production of the preliminary voters list, the election management authority should set aside time for voters and other interested parties to review it before the final list is produced. During this time appeals may be filed requesting that certain names be added to the list or deleted from it.
Until recently it was common for a judicial or quasi-judicial authority to hear voter registration appeals. Today this is no longer the norm. In mature democracies the appeals process has become an administrative function and election officials themselves typically decide on appeals.
Of course, not all claims for changes to the voters list require handling though appeals. Often they are relatively simple and straightforward administrative matters. Eligible voters may have been left off a preliminary list, for example, when they actually wished to be registered. A somewhat more searching process is warranted to deal with an objection claiming that an unqualified or deceased person is on the list. In this case, either official documentation is generally required or a more formal objection mechanism may be instituted.
Normally an appellant must appear in person before the appeals or revision court, or the election management authority. There should be sufficient opportunities to attend a hearing without having to travel long distances or incur heavy expense. The court or tribunal should be fair, and should be perceived to be fair. Whatever the authority that is established to review appeals, the decisions of that body should be subject to review, usually through the judicial system.
