It is common that candidates be nominated by a number of eligible voters, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. Where the nominators' eligibility as voters requires confirmation, a voters list or preliminary voters list must be in place. The most useful approach to establishing a cut-off date for the registration period is to start with the date of the election, and then to work backwards, factoring in other key elements of the electoral event. If the notices can be processed efficiently, the number of appeals is small, and the hearings are all relatively brief, this may take a very short time, perhaps a day or two. However, each of the factors could increase considerably the time required for changes.
Many democracies allow for the possibility of registration on polling day, even at the poll itself.
The elector may be issued a regular ballot or may be issued a form of ballot which is placed in a special ballot envelope and kept separate from those placed in the ballot box. The production of the final voters list is the ultimate task of the registration initiative. The periodic list increases the risks of failure by compressing the completion of many aspects of the voters list into a short time period, usually immediately preceding the election. It is inevitable under such a system that the pressure to perform will be very high, especially as the date of the election draws near. While wishing to produce a voters list that is as complete, current, and accurate as possible, it is also important to be realistic about the logistical challenges involved in producing this list, including the administrative capacity of the election authority, both at the central and local levels.