Some aspects of implementing a voter registration programme for an initial registration in
preparation
for a continuous list are similar to the periodic list. For a discussion of contingency planning, see
Plan of Action. Gathering or compiling registration data is discussed in Compiling Registration Data and storing
information is in Storing Registration Data.
In the implementation stage of the voter list, profound differences begin to emerge between the
periodic list and the continuous list. Most of the activity in the periodic list is focussed either in the
period before the start of an election campaign, or during the campaign itself. It is invariably a
time of high intensity, requiring peak performance from the registration system and the staff who
operate it.
A goal of the continuous list is to remove most aspects of the voter registration process from the
election period (i.e., the period of the election campaign), where it is subject to intense scrutiny.
The registration process should occur instead between elections, when list maintenance can be
done during periods of relative calm.
