Three Methods of Voter Registration
The three general methods of voter registration are the following:
- periodic list
- continuous list
- civil registry
Each of these methods has strengths and weaknesses, and therefore there is not a single best
method for all countries and circumstances. Instead, it is important to recognise which method
has the greatest utility given the context in which it is being administered.
To a certain extent there is a developmental logic underlying the transition from one method to
another. The periodic list is, in many respects, the simplest, because it does not require ongoing
administration in the period between elections. The continuous list builds on previous registration
efforts in an attempt to maintain a continuously updated list. Accomplishing this objective, though,
requires a significant ongoing administrative effort. And a civil registry requires an even higher
order of administrative functioning, using the registration database on citizens for a variety of
purposes, one of which is voter registration.
But, there is no imperative to move from one system to another because of this developmental
logic. Instead, most election authorities seek ways of improving the administrative functioning of
the system they work with, rather than opt to change from one system to another. When such
changes are undertaken, they involve considerable administrative re-engineering.
The remaining files in this section describe the pros and cons of the various methods in greater
detail.
