,,ii  #aaf? ,,congress  #b;d ,session   
,s4 #dbfc  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,july #bb1 #bjbj,mr4   
,leahy 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,durb91 ,mrs4   
,fe9/e91 ,mr4 ,jones1 ,mr4 ,s*um]1 ,mr4 
,coons1 ,ms4 ,h>ris1 ,mr4 ,:iteh\se1    
,mr4 ,casey1 ,mr4 ,ka9e1 ,mr4 ,blum5?al1
 ,mr4 ,re$1 ,mr4 ,br[n1 ,ms4 ,smi?1 ,mr4
 ,m]kley1 ,mr4 ,m>key1 ,ms4 ,cantwell1  
,mr4 ,murphy1 ,ms4 ,baldw91 ,ms4        
,hassan1 ,mrs4 ,murray1 ,mr4 ,he9ri*1   
,mr4 ,wyd51 ,mr4 ,book]1 ,ms4 ,hirono1  
,mr4 ,k+1 ,mrs4 ,%ahe51 ,mr4 ,s&]s1 ,mr4
 ,van ,holl51 ,ms4 ,cortez ,ma/o1 ,mr4  
,w>n]1 ,ms4 ,/ab5[1 ,mr4 ,c>p]1 ,mr4    
,c>d91 ,mr4 ,m55dez1 ,mr4 ,udall1 ,mr4  
,b5net1 ,mr4 ,s*atz1 ,mrs4 ,gillibr&1   
,ms4 ,w>r51 ,ms4 ,duckwor?1 ,ms4        
,klobu*>1 ,ms4 ,ros51 ,mr4 ,te/]1 ,mr4  
,pet]s1 ,ms4 ,s9ema1 ,ms4 ,murk[ski1 &  
,mr4 ,man*97 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2   
:i* 0 read twice & ref]r$ to !          
,committee on ! ,judici>y  ,a ,,bill    
,to am5d ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife to
 revise ! crit]ia = det]m9+ :i* ,/ates &

 political subdivisions are subject to  
section #d ( ! ,act1 & = o!r purposes4  
#a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z 
! ,john ,lewis ,vot+ ,rights ,advancem5t
 ,act4  #b4 ,vot+ on ,indian l&s        
,section #b ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act (    
#aife 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aigc7 is am5d$ by 
add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7c7 ,vot+ on   
,indian l&s  7#a7 ,tribal reque/s =     
poll+ places2 poll+ place provid$  7,a7 
,9 ,g5]al ,a repres5tative (ficial ( an 
,indian ,tribe1 ) au?orization f !      
gov]n+ body ( ! ,tribe1 may reque/ "o or
 m poll+ places to be locat$ on !       
,indian l&s ( ! ,indian ,tribe4 ,su*    
reque/ %all be deliv]$ 9 writ+ to !     
,/ate or political subdivision )        
responsibility = assign+ poll+ places at
 lea/ #f mon?s prior to ! next election 
= :i* ! reque/ is made1 & %all specify !
 location ( ea* reque/$ poll+ place4    
7,b7 ,poll+ places provid$ ,ea* reque/$ 
poll+ place %all be provid$ by ! ,/ate  
or political subdivision 9 response to a
 reque/ made "u subp>agraph 7,a71 at no 

exp5se to ! ,indian ,tribe1 if !        
vot+-age population )9 ! geographic area
 ( ! ,indian l&s relevant to ! reque/$  
poll+ place is at lea/ equal to !       
smalle/ vot+-age population s]v$ by any 
o!r poll+ place 9 ! ,/ate4 ,ea* poll+   
place t is provid$ "u ?is subp>agraph   
%all cont9ue to be provid$ aft] !       
election = :i* ! reque/ 0 made1 until   
su* "t z ! ,indian ,tribe t reque/$ t   
poll+ place deliv]s a writt5 reque/ to !
 ,/ate or political subdivision ask+ t  
su* poll+ place be )drawn4  7,c7 ,rule (
 con/ruction ,no?+ 9 ?is p>agraph %all  
be con/ru$ to prev5t a ,/ate or         
political subdivision f provid+         
additional poll+ places on ,indian l&s  
if no reque/ 0 made "u subp>agraph 7,a71
 or if su* reque/ 0 made less ?an #f    
mon?s prior to ! next election = :i* !  
reque/ 0 made4  7#b7 ,requirem5t to     
provide equitable poll+ locations  7,a7 
,9 ,g5]al ,a ,/ate or political         
subdivision %all provide ! same ratio ( 
poll work]s & vot+ devices1 ! same rate 

( pay to poll work]s1 & ! same days &   
h\rs ( op]ation1 = poll+ places t are   
locat$ on ,indian l&s z are provid$ 9   
o!r locations ( poll+ places 9 ! ,/ate  
or political subdivision4  7,b7         
,eligibility to vote at a poll+ location
 ,a poll+ place locat$ on ,indian l&s   
%all be op5 to vot+ by all p]sons :o are
 o!rwise eligible to vote resid+ )9 !   
prec9ct1 vot+ unit1 or electoral        
di/rict4  7,c7 ,f$]al facilities ,poll+ 
places locat$ on ,indian l&s may be     
designat$ at-- 7i7 a ,f$]al facility1   
su* z ,indian ,heal? ,s]vice or ,bureau 
( ,indian ,affairs s]vice build+s2  7ii7
 any ,tribal gov]nm5t facility t meets !
 requirem5ts ( ,f$]al & ,/ate law appli$
 to o!r poll+ locations )9 ! ,/ate2     
7iii7 a tribally own$ build+2 or  7iv7  
ano!r facility t meets ! requirem5ts =  
poll+ places 9 ! ,/ate4  7#c7 ,abs5tee  
ballots & e>ly vot+  7,a7 ,9 ,g5]al ,a  
repres5tative (ficial ( an ,indian      
,tribe1 ) au?orization f ! gov]n+ body (
 ! ,indian ,tribe1 may deliv] a reque/  

to ! appropriate ,/ate or political     
subdivision t a location on ,indian l&s 
be designat$ z an abs5tee ballot        
location or an e>ly vot+ location1 & su*
 ,/ate or political subdivision %all    
grant ! reque/1 at no exp5se to !       
,indian ,tribe1 if-- 7i7 ! reque/$      
location on ,indian l&s is 9 a ,/ate t  
p]mits vot+ by an abs5tee or mail-9     
ballot or e>ly vot+ 7also call$ abs5tee 
9-p]son vot+71 z ! case may be2 &  7ii7 
! vot+-age population )9 ! geographic   
area ( ,indian l&s relevant to ! reque/$
 abs5tee ballot location or e>ly vot+   
location is at lea/ equal to ! smalle/  
vot+-age population s]v$ by any o!r     
abs5tee ballot location or e>ly vot+    
location 9 ! ,/ate4  7,b7 ,indian l&s z 
abs5tee ballot location ,if a location  
on ,indian l&s is designat$ z an abs5tee
 ballot location or an e>ly vot+        
location1 abs5tee ballots1 or e>ly      
ballots1 z ! case may be1 %all be       
provid$1 at no exp5se to ! ,indian      
,tribe1 to ea* regi/]$ vot] liv+ 9 su*  

designat$ location )\t ! requirem5t ( an
 excuse = an abs5tee ballot or e>ly     
vot+4 ,bil+ual election mat]ials & oral 
language assi/ance %all be provid$ if   
requir$ by section #bjc4  7#d7 ,tribal  
reque/s = vot] regi/ration ag5cies ,a   
repres5tative (ficial ( an ,indian      
,tribe1 ) au?orization f ! gov]n+ body (
 ! ,tribe1 may reque/ t ,tribal gov]nm5t
 s]vice (fices be designat$ z vot]      
regi/ration ag5cies "u section #g ( !   
,national ,vot] ,regi/ration ,act (     
#aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjejf74 ,su* a    
reque/ %all be deliv]$ 9 writ+ to !     
,/ate or political subdivision )        
responsibility = assign+ poll+ locations
 at lea/ #f mon?s prior to ! next       
election = :i* ! reque/ is made4 ,su* a 
reque/ %all be grant$ if ! ,tribal      
gov]nm5t s]vice (fice meets !           
requirem5ts ( ,f$]al & ,/ate law appli$ 
to o!r designat$ vot] regi/ration       
ag5cies )9 ! ,/ate4  4  #c4 ,violations 
trigg]+ au?ority ( c\rt to reta9        
jurisdiction  7a7 ,types ( ,violations  

,section #c7;c7 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act (
 #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjb7;c77 is    
am5d$ by /rik+ violations ( ! f\rte5? or
 fifte5? am5dm5t & ins]t+ violations ( !
 #ad? or #ae? ,am5dm5t1 violations ( ?is
 ,act1 or violations ( any ,f$]al law t 
prohibits discrim9ation 9 vot+ on !     
basis ( race1 color1 or memb]%ip 9 a    
language m9ority gr\p14  7b7 ,con=m+    
,am5dm5t ,section #c7;a7 ( su* ,act 7#eb
 ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjb7;a77 is am5d$ by /rik+
 violations ( ! f\rte5? or fifte5?      
am5dm5t & ins]t+ violations ( ! #ad? or 
#ae? ,am5dm5t1 violations ( ?is ,act1 or
 violations ( any ,f$]al law t prohibits
 discrim9ation 9 vot+ on ! basis ( race1
 color1 or memb]%ip 9 a language m9ority
 gr\p14  #d4 ,crit]ia = cov]age ( ,/ates
 & political subdivisions  7a7          
,det]m9ation ( ,/ates & ,political      
,subdivisions ,subject to ,section      
#d7;a7  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,section #d7;b7 ( 
! ,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb       
,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjc7;b77 is am5d$ to read z
 foll[s3  7b7 ,det]m9ation ( ,/ates &   

,political ,subdivisions ,subject to    
,requirem5ts  7#a7 ,exi/5ce ( vot+      
rights violations dur+ previ\s #be ye>s 
7,a7 ,/atewide application ,subsection  
7a7 applies ) respect to a ,/ate & all  
political subdivisions )9 ! ,/ate dur+ a
 cal5d> ye> if-- 7i7 #ae or m vot+      
rights violations occurr$ 9 ! ,/ate dur+
 ! previ\s #be cal5d> ye>s2 or  7ii7 #aj
 or m vot+ rights violations occurr$ 9 !
 ,/ate dur+ ! previ\s #be cal5d> ye>s1  
at lea/ "o ( :i* 0 committ$ by ! ,/ate  
itself 7z oppos$ to a political         
subdivision )9 ! ,/ate74  7,b7          
,application to specific political      
subdivisions ,subsection 7a7 applies )  
respect to a political subdivision z a  
sep>ate unit dur+ a cal5d> ye> if #c or 
m vot+ rights violations occurr$ 9 !    
subdivision dur+ ! previ\s #be cal5d>   
ye>s4  7#b7 ,p]iod ( application  7,a7  
,9 g5]al ,except z provid$ 9 subp>agraph
 7,b71 if1 pursuant to p>agraph 7#a71   
subsection 7a7 applies ) respect to a   
,/ate or political subdivision dur+ a   

cal5d> ye>1 subsection 7a7 %all apply ) 
respect to su* ,/ate or political       
subdivision = ! p]iod-- 7i7 t beg9s on  
,janu>y #a ( ! ye> 9 :i* subsection 7a7 
applies2 &  7ii7 t ends on ! date :i* is
 #aj ye>s aft] ! date describ$ 9 clause 
7i74  7,b7 ,no fur!r application aft]   
decl>atory judgm5t  7i7 ,/ates ,if a    
,/ate obta9s a decl>atory judgm5t "u    
subsection 7a71 & ! judgm5t rema9s 9    
effect1 subsection 7a7 %all no long]    
apply to su* ,/ate pursuant to p>agraph 
7#a77;,a7 unless1 aft] ! issuance ( !   
decl>atory judgm5t1 p>agraph 7#a77;,a7  
applies to ! ,/ate solely on ! basis (  
vot+ rights violations occurr+ aft] !   
issuance ( ! decl>atory judgm5t4  7ii7  
,political subdivisions ,if a political 
subdivision obta9s a decl>atory judgm5t 
"u subsection 7a71 & ! judgm5t rema9s 9 
effect1 subsection 7a7 %all no long]    
apply to su* political subdivision      
pursuant to p>agraph 7#a71 includ+      
pursuant to p>agraph 7#a77;,a7 7relat+  
to ! /atewide application ( subsection  

7a771 unless1 aft] ! issuance ( !       
decl>atory judgm5t1 p>agraph 7#a77;,b7  
applies to ! political subdivision      
solely on ! basis ( vot+ rights         
violations occurr+ aft] ! issuance ( !  
decl>atory judgm5t4  7#c7 ,det]m9ation (
 vot+ rights violation ,= purposes (    
p>agraph 7#a71 a vot+ rights violation  
occurr$ 9 a ,/ate or political          
subdivision if any ( ! foll[+ applies3  
7,a7 ,f9al judgm5t2 violation ( ! #ad?  
or #ae? ,am5dm5t ,9 a f9al judgm5t 7:i* 
has n be5 rev]s$ on appeal71 any c\rt ( 
! ,unit$ ,/ates has det]m9$ t a d5ial or
 abridgem5t ( ! "r ( any citiz5 ( !     
,unit$ ,/ates to vote on acc\nt ( race1 
color1 or memb]%ip 9 a language m9ority 
gr\p1 9 violation ( ! #ad? or #ae?      
,am5dm5t1 occurr$ any:]e )9 ! ,/ate or  
subdivision4  7,b7 ,f9al judgm5t2       
violations ( ?is ,act ,9 a f9al judgm5t 
7:i* has n be5 rev]s$ on appeal71 any   
c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates has det]m9$ t a  
vot+ qualification or pr]equisite to    
vot+ or /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure )   

respect to vot+ 0 impos$ or appli$ or   
w\ld h be5 impos$ or appli$ any:]e )9 ! 
,/ate or subdivision 9 a mann] t result$
 or w\ld h result$ 9 a d5ial or         
abridgem5t ( ! "r ( any citiz5 ( !      
,unit$ ,/ates to vote on acc\nt ( race1 
color1 or memb]%ip 9 a language m9ority 
gr\p1 9 violation ( subsection 7e7 or   
7f71 or section #b or #bjc ( ?is ,act4  
7,c7 ,f9al judgm5t2 ,d5ial ( decl>atory 
judgm5t ,9 a f9al judgm5t 7:i* has n be5
 rev]s$ on appeal71 any c\rt ( ! ,unit$ 
,/ates has d5i$ ! reque/ ( ! ,/ate or   
subdivision = a decl>atory judgm5t "u   
section #c7;c7 or section #e1 & !reby   
prev5t$ a vot+ qualification or         
pr]equisite to vot+ or /&>d1 practice1  
or proc$ure ) respect to vot+ f be+     
en=c$ any:]e )9 ! ,/ate or subdivision4 
7,d7 ,objection by ! ,attorney ,g5]al ,!
 ,attorney ,g5]al has int]pos$ an       
objection "u section #c7;c7 or section  
#e 7& ! objection has n be5 ov]turn$ by 
a f9al judgm5t ( a c\rt or )drawn by !  
,attorney ,g5]al71 & !reby prev5t$ a    

vot+ qualification or pr]equisite to    
vot+ or /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure )   
respect to vot+ f be+ en=c$ any:]e )9 ! 
,/ate or subdivision4  7,e7 ,cons5t     
decree1 settlem5t1 or o!r agreem5t ,a   
cons5t decree1 settlem5t1 or o!r        
agreem5t 0 ent]$ into1 :i* result$ 9 !  
alt]ation or ab&onm5t ( a vot+ practice 
any:]e 9 ! t]ritory ( su* ,/ate t 0     
*all5g$ on ! gr\nd t ! practice d5i$ or 
abridg$ ! "r ( any citiz5 ( ! ,unit$    
,/ates to vote on acc\nt ( race1 color1 
or memb]%ip 9 a language m9ority gr\p 9 
violation ( subsection 7e7 or 7f71 or   
section #b or #bjc ( ?is ,act1 or ! #ad?
 or #ae? ,am5dm5t4  7#d7 ,tim+ (        
det]m9ations  7,a7 ,det]m9ations ( vot+ 
rights violations ,z e>ly z practicable 
dur+ ea* cal5d> ye>1 ! ,attorney ,g5]al 
%all make ! det]m9ations requir$ by ?is 
subsection1 includ+ updat+ ! li/ ( vot+ 
rights violations occurr+ 9 ea* ,/ate & 
political subdivision = ! previ\s cal5d>
 ye>4  7,b7 ,effective ^u publication 9 
,f$]al ,regi/] ,a det]m9ation or        

c]tification ( ! ,attorney ,g5]al "u ?is
 section or "u section #h or #ac %all be
 effective ^u publication 9 ! ,f$]al    
,regi/]4  4  7#b7 ,con=m+ am5dm5ts      
,section #d7;a7 ( su* ,act 7#eb         
,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjc7;a77 is am5d$-- 7,a7 9 
p>agraph 7#a71 9 ! fir/ s5t5ce ( ! matt]
 prec$+ subp>agraph 7,a71 by /rik+ any  
,/ate ) respect to :i* & all t foll[s   
?r\gh unless & ins]t+ any ,/ate to :i*  
?is subsection applies dur+ a cal5d> ye>
 pursuant to det]m9ations made "u       
subsection 7b71 or 9 any political      
subdivision ( su* ,/ate 7z su*          
subdivision exi/$ on ! date su*         
det]m9ations 7 made ) respect to su*    
,/ate71 ?\gh su* det]m9ations 7 n made )
 respect to su* subdivision z a sep>ate 
unit1 or 9 any political subdivision )  
respect to :i* ?is subsection applies   
dur+ a cal5d> ye> pursuant to           
det]m9ations made ) respect to su*      
subdivision z a sep>ate unit "u         
subsection 7b71 unless2  7,b7 9 p>agraph
 7#a7 9 ! matt] prec$+ subp>agraph 7,a71

 by /rik+ ! second s5t5ce2  7,c7 9      
p>agraph 7#a77;,a71 by /rik+ 79 ! case (
 a ,/ate or subdivision seek+ a         
decl>atory judgm5t "u ! second s5t5ce ( 
?is subsection72  7,d7 9 p>agraph       
7#a77;,b71 by /rik+ 79 ! case ( a ,/ate 
or subdivision seek+ a decl>atory       
judgm5t "u ! second s5t5ce ( ?is        
subsection72  7,e7 9 p>agraph 7#c71 by  
/rik+ 79 ! case ( a ,/ate or subdivision
 seek+ a decl>atory judgm5t "u ! second 
s5t5ce ( ?is subsection72  7,f7 9       
p>agraph 7#e71 by /rik+ 79 ! case ( a   
,/ate or subdivision :i* s\ght a        
decl>atory judgm5t "u ! second s5t5ce ( 
?is subsection72  7,g7 by /rik+         
p>agraphs 7#g7 & 7#h72 &  7,h7 by       
r$esignat+ p>agraph 7#i7 z p>agraph     
7#g74  7b7 ,cl>ification ( ,treatm5t (  
,memb]s ( ,language ,m9ority ,gr\ps     
,section #d7;a77#a7 ( su* ,act 7#eb     
,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjc7;a77#a77 is am5d$ by   
/rik+ race or color1 & ins]t+ race1     
color1 or 9 contrav5tion ( ! gu>antees (
 subsection 7f77#b714  #e4 ,det]m9ation 

( ,/ates & political subdivisions       
subject to precle>ance = cov]$ practices
 ,! ,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb     
,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja et seq47 is fur!r am5d$
 by ins]t+ aft] section #d ! foll[+3    
#d;,a4 ,det]m9ation ( ,/ates & political
 subdivisions subject to precle>ance =  
cov]$ practices  7a7 ,practice-,bas$    
,precle>ance  7#a7 ,9 ,g5]al ,ea* ,/ate 
& ea* political subdivision %all-- 7,a7 
id5tify any newly enact$ or adopt$ law1 
regulation1 or policy t includes a vot+ 
qualification or pr]equisite to vot+1 or
 a /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure ) respect
 to vot+1 t is a cov]$ practice describ$
 9 subsection 7b72 &  7,b7 ensure t no  
su* cov]$ practice is implem5t$ unless  
or until ! ,/ate or political           
subdivision1 z ! case may be1 complies )
 subsection 7c74  7#b7 ,det]m9ations (  
*>act]i/ics ( vot+-age population  7,a7 
,9 ,g5]al ,z e>ly z practicable dur+ ea*
 cal5d> ye>1 ! ,attorney ,g5]al1 9      
consultation ) ! ,director ( ! ,bureau (
 ! ,c5sus & ! heads ( o!r relevant      

(fices ( ! gov]nm5t1 %all make !        
det]m9ations requir$ by ?is section     
reg>d+ vot+-age populations & !         
*>act]i/ics ( su* populations1 & %all   
publi% a li/ ( ! ,/ates & political     
subdivisions to :i* a vot+-age          
population *>act]i/ic describ$ 9        
subsection 7b7 applies4  7,b7           
,publication 9 ! ,f$]al ,regi/] ,a      
det]m9ation or c]tification ( !         
,attorney ,g5]al "u ?is p>agraph %all be
 effective ^u publication 9 ! ,f$]al    
,regi/]4  7b7 ,cov]$ practices ,to      
assure t ! "r ( citiz5s ( ! ,unit$      
,/ates to vote is n d5i$ or abridg$ on  
acc\nt ( race1 color1 or memb]%ip 9 a   
language m9ority gr\p z a result ( !    
implem5tation ( c]ta9 qualifications or 
pr]equisites to vot+1 or /&>ds1         
practices1 or proc$ures ) respect to    
vot+ newly adopt$ 9 a ,/ate or political
 subdivision1 ! foll[+ %all be cov]$    
practices subject to ! requirem5ts      
describ$ 9 subsection 7a73 7#a7 ,*anges 
to me?od ( election ,any *ange to !     

me?od ( election-- 7,a7 to add seats    
elect$ at-l>ge 9 a ,/ate or political   
subdivision :]e-- 7i7 #b or m racial    
gr\ps or language m9ority gr\ps ea*     
repres5t #bj p]c5t or m ( ! political   
subdivision's vot+-age population2 or   
7ii7 a s+le language m9ority gr\p       
repres5ts #bj p]c5t or m ( ! vot+-age   
population on ,indian l&s locat$ 9 :ole 
or 9 "p 9 ! political subdivision2 or   
7,b7 to conv]t "o or m seats elect$ f a 
s+le-memb] di/rict to "o or m at-l>ge   
seats or seats f a multimemb] di/rict 9 
a ,/ate or political subdivision :]e--  
7i7 #b or m racial gr\ps or language    
m9ority gr\ps ea* repres5t #bj p]c5t or 
m ( ! political subdivision's vot+-age  
population2 or  7ii7 a s+le language    
m9ority gr\p repres5ts #bj p]c5t or m ( 
! vot+-age population on ,indian l&s    
locat$ 9 :ole or 9 "p 9 ! political     
subdivision4  7#b7 ,*anges to           
jurisdiction b\nd>ies ,any *ange or     
s]ies ( *anges )9 a ye> to ! b\nd>ies ( 
a jurisdiction t r$uces by #c or m      

p]c5tage po9ts ! proportion ( !         
jurisdiction's vot+-age population t is 
compos$ ( memb]s ( a s+le racial gr\p or
 language m9ority gr\p 9 a ,/ate or     
political subdivision :]e-- 7,a7 #b or m
 racial gr\ps or language m9ority gr\ps 
ea* repres5t #bj p]c5t or m ( !         
political subdivision's vot+-age        
population2 or  7,b7 a s+le language    
m9ority gr\p repres5ts #bj p]c5t or m ( 
! vot+-age population on ,indian l&s    
locat$ 9 :ole or 9 "p 9 ! political     
subdivision4  7#c7 ,*anges ?r\gh        
r$i/rict+ ,any *ange to ! b\nd>ies (    
election di/ricts 9 a ,/ate or political
 subdivision :]e any racial gr\p or     
language m9ority gr\p exp]i5ces a       
population increase1 ov] ! prec$+ decade
 7z calculat$ by ! ,bureau ( ! ,c5sus "u
 ! mo/ rec5t dec5nial c5sus71 ( at      
lea/-- 7,a7 #aj1jjj2 or  7,b7 #bj p]c5t 
( vot+-age population ( ! ,/ate or      
political subdivision1 z ! case may be4 
7#d7 ,*anges 9 docum5tation or          
qualifications to vote ,any *ange to    

requirem5ts = docum5tation or pro( (    
id5tity to vote su* t ! requirem5ts w   
exce$ or be m /r+5t ?an ! requirem5ts = 
vot+ t are describ$ 9 section #cjc7;b7 (
 ! ,help ,am]ica ,vote ,act ( #bjjb 7#eb
 ,u4,s4,c4 #bajhc7;b77 or any *ange to !
 requirem5ts = docum5tation or pro( (   
id5tity to regi/] to vote t w exce$ or  
be m /r+5t ?an su* requirem5ts "u ,/ate 
law on ! day be=e ! date ( enactm5t ( ! 
,john ,lewis ,vot+ ,rights ,advancem5t  
,act4  7#e7 ,*anges to multil+ual vot+  
mat]ials ,any *ange t r$uces multil+ual 
vot+ mat]ials or alt]s ! mann] 9 :i* su*
 mat]ials are provid$ or di/ribut$1 :]e 
no simil> r$uction or alt]ation occurs 9
 mat]ials provid$ 9 ,engli% = su*       
election4  7#f7 ,*anges t r$uce1        
consolidate1 or relocate vot+ locations 
,any *ange t r$uces1 consolidates1 or   
relocates vot+ locations1 includ+ e>ly1 
abs5tee1 & election-day vot+ locations--
 7,a7 9 #a or m c5sus tracts :]e9 #b or 
m language m9ority gr\ps or racial gr\ps
 ea* repres5t #bj p]c5t or m ( !        

vot+-age population ( ! political       
subdivision2 or  7,b7 on ,indian l&s    
:]e9 at lea/ #bj p]c5t ( ! vot+-age     
population belongs to a s+le language   
m9ority gr\p4  7c7 ,precle>ance  7#a7 ,9
 ,g5]al ,:5ev] a ,/ate or political     
subdivision ) respect to :i* !          
requirem5ts set =? 9 subsection 7a7 are 
9 effect %all enact1 adopt1 or seek to  
implem5t any cov]$ practice describ$ "u 
subsection 7b71 su* ,/ate or subdivision
 may in/itute an action 9 ! ,unit$      
,/ates ,di/rict ,c\rt = ! ,di/rict (    
,columbia = a decl>atory judgm5t t su*  
cov]$ practice nei!r has ! purpose nor w
 h ! effect ( d5y+ or abridg+ ! "r to   
vote on acc\nt ( race1 color1 or        
memb]%ip 9 a language m9ority gr\p1 &   
unless & until ! c\rt ent]s su* judgm5t 
su* cov]$ practice %all n be implem5t$4 
,not)/&+ ! previ\s s5t5ce1 su* cov]$    
practice may be implem5t$ )\t su*       
proce$+ if ! cov]$ practice has be5     
submitt$ by ! *ief legal (fic] or o!r   
appropriate (ficial ( su* ,/ate or      

subdivision to ! ,attorney ,g5]al & !   
,attorney ,g5]al has n int]pos$ an      
objection )9 #fj days aft] su*          
submission1 or ^u good cause %[n1 to    
facilitate an exp$it$ approval )9 #fj   
days aft] su* submission1 ! ,attorney   
,g5]al has affirmatively indicat$ t su* 
objection w n be made4 ,nei!r an        
affirmative indication by ! ,attorney   
,g5]al t no objection w be made1 nor !  
,attorney ,g5]al's failure to object1   
nor a decl>atory judgm5t ent]$ "u ?is   
section %all b> a subsequ5t action to   
enjo9 implem5tation ( su* cov]$         
practice4 ,9 ! ev5t ! ,attorney ,g5]al  
affirmatively indicates t no objection w
 be made )9 ! #fj-;day p]iod foll[+     
receipt ( a submission1 ! ,attorney     
,g5]al may res]ve ! "r to reexam9e !    
submission if additional in=mation comes
 to ! ,attorney ,g5]al's att5tion dur+ !
 rema9d] ( ! #fj-;day p]iod :i* w\ld    
o!rwise require objection 9 accordance )
 ?is section4 ,any action "u ?is section
 %all be he>d & det]m9$ by a c\rt ( ?ree

 judges 9 accordance ) ! provisions (   
section #bbhd ( title #bh1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 & any appeal %all lie to !      
,supreme ,c\rt4  7#b7 ,d5y+ or abridg+ !
 "r to vote ,any cov]$ practice describ$
 9 subsection 7b7 t has ! purpose ( or w
 h ! effect ( dim9i%+ ! ability ( any   
citiz5s ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates on acc\nt (   
race1 color1 or memb]%ip 9 a language   
m9ority gr\p1 to elect _! pref]r$       
c&idates ( *oice d5ies or abridges ! "r 
to vote )9 ! mean+ ( p>agraph 7#a7 ( ?is
 subsection4  7#c7 ,purpose def9$ ,! t]m
 purpose 9 p>agraphs 7#a7 & 7#b7 ( ?is  
subsection %all include any             
discrim9atory purpose4  7#d7 ,purpose ( 
p>agraph 7#b7 ,! purpose ( p>agraph 7#b7
 ( ?is subsection is to protect !       
ability ( su* citiz5s to elect _!       
pref]r$ c&idates ( *oice4  7d7 ,en=cem5t
 ,! ,attorney ,g5]al or any aggriev$    
citiz5 may file an action 9 a ,f$]al    
di/rict c\rt to compel any ,/ate or     
political subdivision to satisfy !      
obligations set =? 9 ?is section4 ,su*  

actions %all be he>d & det]m9$ by a c\rt
 ( #c judges "u section #bbhd ( title   
#bh1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 ,9 any su*    
action1 ! c\rt %all provide z a rem$y t 
any vot+ qualification or pr]equisite to
 vot+1 or /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure ) 
respect to vot+1 t is ! subject ( !     
action "u ?is subsection be enjo9$      
unless ! c\rt det]m9es t-- 7#a7 ! vot+  
qualification or pr]equisite to vot+1 or
 /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure ) respect  
to vot+1 is n a cov]$ practice describ$ 
9 subsection 7b72 or  7#b7 ! ,/ate or   
political subdivision has compli$ )     
subsection 7c7 ) respect to ! cov]$     
practice at issue4  7e7 ,c\nt+ ( racial 
gr\ps & language m9ority gr\ps ,=       
purposes ( ?is section1 ! calculation ( 
! population ( a racial gr\p or a       
language m9ority gr\p %all be c>ri$ out 
us+ ! me?odology 9 ! guidance promulgat$
 9 ! ,f$]al ,regi/] on ,febru>y #i1     
#bjaa 7#gf ,f$4 ,reg4 #gdgj74  7f7      
,special rule ,= purposes ( det]m9ations
 "u ?is section1 any data provid$ by !  

,bureau ( ! ,c5sus1 :e!r bas$ on        
e/imation f sample or actual enum]ation1
 %all n be subject to *all5ge or review 
9 any c\rt4  7g7 ,multil+ual vot+       
mat]ials ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m          
multil+ual vot+ mat]ials means          
regi/ration or vot+ notices1 =ms1       
in/ructions1 assi/ance1 or o!r mat]ials 
or in=mation relat+ to ! electoral      
process1 includ+ ballots1 provid$ 9 !   
language or languages ( "o or m language
 m9ority gr\ps4  4  #f4 ,promot+        
transp>5cy to en=ce ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act
  7a7 ,transp>5cy  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,!     
,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb         
,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja et seq47 is am5d$ by   
ins]t+ aft] section #e ! foll[+ new     
section3  #f4 ,transp>5cy reg>d+ *anges 
to protect vot+ rights  7a7 ,notice (   
enact$ *anges  7#a7 ,notice ( ,*anges   
,if a ,/ate or political subdivision    
makes any *ange 9 any pr]equisite to    
vot+ or /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure )   
respect to vot+ 9 any election = ,f$]al 
(fice t w result 9 ! pr]equisite1 /&>d1 

practice1 or proc$ure be+ diff]5t f t   
:i* 0 9 effect z ( #ahj days be=e ! date
 ( ! election = ,f$]al (fice1 ! ,/ate or
 political subdivision %all provide     
reasonable public notice 9 su* ,/ate or 
political subdivision & on ! int]net1 ( 
a concise description ( ! *ange1 includ+
 ! diff]5ce betwe5 ! *ang$ pr]equisite1 
/&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure & !         
pr]equisite1 /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure
 :i* 0 previ\sly 9 effect4 ,! public    
notice describ$ 9 ?is p>agraph1 9 su*   
,/ate or political subdivision & on !   
int]net1 %all be 9 a =mat t is          
reasonably conv5i5t & accessible to     
vot]s ) disabilities1 includ+ vot]s :o h
 l[ vision or are bl9d4  7#b7 ,deadl9e =
 notice ,a ,/ate or political           
subdivision %all provide ! public notice
 requir$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 n lat] ?an #dh
 h\rs aft] mak+ ! *ange involv$4  7b7   
,transp>5cy ,reg>d+ ,poll+ ,place       
,res\rces  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 ord] to     
id5tify any *anges t may impact ! "r to 
vote ( any p]son1 prior to ! #cj? day   

be=e ! date ( an election = ,f$]al      
(fice1 ea* ,/ate or political           
subdivision ) responsibility = allocat+ 
regi/]$ vot]s1 vot+ ma*9es1 & (ficial   
poll work]s to p>ticul> prec9cts & poll+
 places %all provide reasonable public  
notice 9 su* ,/ate or political         
subdivision & on ! int]net1 ( !         
in=mation describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 =    
prec9cts & poll+ places )9 su* ,/ate or 
political subdivision4 ,! public notice 
describ$ 9 ?is p>agraph1 9 su* ,/ate or 
political subdivision & on ! int]net1   
%all be 9 a =mat t is reasonably        
conv5i5t & accessible to vot]s )        
disabilities includ+ vot]s :o h l[      
vision or are bl9d4  7#b7 ,in=mation    
describ$ ,! in=mation describ$ 9 ?is    
p>agraph ) respect to a prec9ct or poll+
 place is ea* ( ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,! "n or 
numb]4  7,b7 ,9 ! case ( a poll+ place1 
! location1 includ+ ! /reet address1 &  
:e!r su* poll+ place is accessible to   
p]sons ) disabilities4  7,c7 ,! vot+-age
 population ( ! area s]v$ by ! prec9ct  

or poll+ place1 brok5 d[n by demographic
 gr\p if su* breakd[n is reasonably     
available to su* ,/ate or political     
subdivision4  7,d7 ,! numb] ( regi/]$   
vot]s assign$ to ! prec9ct or poll+     
place1 brok5 d[n by demographic gr\p if 
su* breakd[n is reasonably available to 
su* ,/ate or political subdivision4     
7,e7 ,! numb] ( vot+ ma*9es assign$1    
includ+ ! numb] ( vot+ ma*9es accessible
 to vot]s ) disabilities1 includ+ vot]s 
:o h l[ vision or are bl9d4  7,f7 ,!    
numb] ( (ficial paid poll work]s        
assign$4  7,g7 ,! numb] ( (ficial       
volunte] poll work]s assign$4  7,h7 ,9 !
 case ( a poll+ place1 ! dates & h\rs ( 
op]ation4  7#c7 ,updates 9 in=mation    
report$ ,if a ,/ate or political        
subdivision makes any *ange 9 any ( !   
in=mation describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b71 !   
,/ate or political subdivision %all     
provide reasonable public notice 9 su*  
,/ate or political subdivision & on !   
int]net1 ( ! *ange 9 ! in=mation n lat] 
?an #dh h\rs aft] ! *ange occurs or1 if 

! *ange occurs few] ?an #dh h\rs be=e ! 
date ( ! election = ,f$]al (fice1 z soon
 z practicable aft] ! *ange occurs4 ,!  
public notice describ$ 9 ?is p>agraph 9 
su* ,/ate or political subdivision & on 
! int]net %all be 9 a =mat t is         
reasonably conv5i5t & accessible to     
vot]s ) disabilities includ+ vot]s :o h 
l[ vision or are bl9d4  7c7 ,transp>5cy 
( ,*anges ,relat+ to ,demographics &    
,electoral ,di/ricts  7#a7 ,requir+     
public notice ( *anges ,n lat] ?an #aj  
days aft] mak+ any *ange 9 ! con/itu5cy 
t w p>ticipate 9 an election = ,f$]al1  
,/ate1 or local (fice or ! b\nd>ies ( a 
vot+ unit or electoral di/rict 9 an     
election = ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 or local (fice
 7includ+ ?r\gh r$i/rict+1              
reapportionm5t1 *ang+ f at-l>ge         
elections to di/rict-bas$ elections1 or 
*ang+ f di/rict-bas$ elections to       
at-l>ge elections71 a ,/ate or political
 subdivision %all provide reasonable    
public notice 9 su* ,/ate or political  
subdivision & on ! int]net1 ( !         

demographic & electoral data describ$ 9 
p>agraph 7#c7 = ea* ( ! geographic areas
 describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b74  7#b7        
,geographic areas describ$ ,! geographic
 areas describ$ 9 ?is p>agraph are z    
foll[s3 7,a7 ,! ,/ate z a :ole1 if !    
*ange applies /atewide1 or ! political  
subdivision z a :ole1 if ! *ange applies
 across ! entire political subdivision4 
7,b7 ,if ! *ange includes a plan to     
replace or elim9ate vot+ units or       
electoral di/ricts1 ea* vot+ unit or    
electoral di/rict t w be replac$ or     
elim9at$4  7,c7 ,if ! *ange includes a  
plan to e/abli% new vot+ units or       
electoral di/ricts1 ea* su* new vot+    
unit or electoral di/rict4  7#c7        
,demographic & electoral data ,!        
demographic & electoral data describ$ 9 
?is p>agraph ) respect to a geographic  
area describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b7 are ea* ( 
! foll[+3 7,a7 ,! vot+-age population1  
brok5 d[n by demographic gr\p4  7,b7 ,if
 x is reasonably available to ! ,/ate or
 political subdivision involv$1 an      

e/imate ( ! population ( ! area :i*     
consi/s ( citiz5s ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates :o  
are #ah ye>s ( age or old]1 brok5 d[n by
 demographic gr\p4  7,c7 ,! numb] (     
regi/]$ vot]s1 brok5 d[n by demographic 
gr\p if su* breakd[n is reasonably      
available to ! ,/ate or political       
subdivision involv$4  7,d7 7i7 ,if !    
*ange applies to a ,/ate1 ! actual numb]
 ( votes1 or 7if x is n reasonably      
practicable = ! ,/ate to asc]ta9 !      
actual numb] ( votes7 ! e/imat$ numb] ( 
votes receiv$ by ea* c&idate 9 ea*      
/atewide election held dur+ ! #e-ye>    
p]iod :i* ends on ! date ! *ange involv$
 is made2 &  7ii7 if ! *ange applies to 
only "o political subdivision1 ! actual 
numb] ( votes1 or 7if x is n reasonably 
practicable = ! political subdivision to
 asc]ta9 ! actual numb] ( votes7 9 ea*  
subdivision-wide election held dur+ !   
#e-ye> p]iod :i* ends on ! date ! *ange 
involv$ is made4  7#d7 ,volunt>y        
,compliance by ,small] ,jurisdictions   
,compliance ) ?is subsection %all be    

volunt>y = a political subdivision ( a  
,/ate unless ! subdivision is "o ( !    
foll[+3 7,a7 ,a c\nty or p>i%4  7,b7 ,a 
municipality ) a population great] ?an  
#aj1jjj1 z det]m9$ by ! ,bureau ( !     
,c5sus "u ! mo/ rec5t dec5nial c5sus4   
7,c7 ,a s*ool di/rict ) a population    
great] ?an #aj1jjj1 z det]m9$ by !      
,bureau ( ! ,c5sus "u ! mo/ rec5t       
dec5nial c5sus4 ,= purposes ( ?is       
subp>agraph1 ! t]m s*ool di/rict means !
 geographic area "u ! jurisdiction ( a  
local educational ag5cy 7z def9$ 9      
section #haja ( ! ,elem5t>y & ,second>y 
,education ,act ( #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4  
#ghja774  7d7 ,rules ,reg>d+ ,=mat (    
,in=mation ,! ,attorney ,g5]al may issue
 rules specify+ a reasonably conv5i5t & 
accessible =mat t ,/ates & political    
subdivisions %all use to provide public 
notice ( in=mation "u ?is section4  7e7 
,no d5ial ( "r ,to vote ,! "r to vote ( 
any p]son %all n be d5i$ or abridg$     
because ! p]son fail$ to comply ) any   
*ange made by a ,/ate or political      

subdivision if ! ,/ate or political     
subdivision involv$ did n meet !        
applicable requirem5ts ( ?is section )  
respect to ! *ange4  7f7 ,def9itions ,9 
?is section-- 7#a7 ! t]m demographic    
gr\p means ea* gr\p :i* section #b      
protects f ! d5ial or abridgem5t ( ! "r 
to vote on acc\nt ( race or color1 or 9 
contrav5tion ( ! gu>antees set =? 9     
section #d7;f77#b72  7#b7 ! t]m election
 = ,f$]al (fice means any g5]al1        
special1 prim>y1 or run(f election held 
solely or 9 "p = ! purpose ( elect+ any 
c&idate = ! (fice ( ,presid5t1 ,vice    
,presid5t1 ,presid5tial elector1        
,s5ator1 ,memb] ( ! ,h\se (             
,repres5tatives1 or ,delegate or        
,resid5t ,commission] to ! ,congress2 & 
7#c7 ! t]m p]sons ) disabilities1 means 
individuals ) a disability1 z def9$ 9   
section #c ( ! ,am]icans ) ,disabilities
 ,act ( #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #abajb74  4
  7#b7 ,con=m+ am5dm5t ,section #c7;a7 (
 su* ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjb7;a77 is 
am5d$ by /rik+ 9 accordance ) section   

#f4  7b7 ,effective ,date ,! am5dm5t    
made by subsection 7a77#a7 %all apply ) 
respect to *anges :i* are made on or    
aft] ! expiration ( ! #fj-;day p]iod :i*
 beg9s on ! date ( ! enactm5t ( ?is     
,act4  #g4 ,au?ority to assign obs]v]s  
7a7 ,cl>ification ( ,au?ority 9         
,political ,subdivisions ,subject to    
,precle>ance ,section #h7;a77#b77;,b7 ( 
! ,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb       
,u4,s4,c4 #ajcje7;a77#b77;,b77 is am5d$ 
to read z foll[s3  7,b7 9 ! ,attorney   
,g5]al's judgm5t1 ! assignm5t ( obs]v]s 
is o!rwise necess>y to en=ce ! gu>antees
 ( ! #ad? or #ae? ,am5dm5t or any       
provision ( ?is ,act or any o!r ,f$]al  
law protect+ ! "r ( citiz5s ( ! ,unit$  
,/ates to vote2  4  7b7 ,assignm5t (    
,obs]v]s ,to ,en=ce ,bil+ual ,election  
,requirem5ts ,section #h7;a7 ( su* ,act 
7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcje7;a77 is am5d$--   
7#a7 by /rik+ or at ! end ( p>agraph    
7#a72 &  7#b7 by add+ aft] p>agraph 7#b7
 ! foll[+3  7#c7 ! ,attorney ,g5]al     
c]tifies ) respect to a political       

subdivision t-- 7,a7 ! ,attorney ,g5]al 
has receiv$ writt5 m]itori\s compla9ts f
 resid5ts1 elect$ (ficials1 or civic    
p>ticipation organizations t ef=ts to   
violate section #bjc are likely to      
occur2 or  7,b7 9 ! ,attorney ,g5]al's  
judgm5t1 ! assignm5t ( obs]v]s is       
necess>y to en=ce ! gu>antees ( section 
#bjc2 or  7#d7 ! ,attorney ,g5]al       
c]tifies t ! ,attorney ,g5]al has       
receiv$ f ! appropriate (ficial ( !     
gov]n+ body ( a f$]ally recogniz$       
,indian ,tribe-- 7,a7 a writt5 compla9t 
t ef=ts to d5y or abridge ! "r to vote  
"u ! color ( law on acc\nt ( race or    
color1 or 9 contrav5tion ( ! gu>antees  
set =? 9 section #d7;f77#b7 are likely  
to occur2 &  7,b7 a writt5 reque/ = !   
au?orization ( ,f$]al obs]v]s =         
elections t occur on ,indian l&s2  4    
#h4 ,prelim9>y injunctive relief  7a7   
,cl>ification ( ,scope & ,p]sons        
,au?oriz$ ,to ,seek ,relief ,section    
#ab7;d7 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife  
7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjh7;d77 is am5d$--   

7#a7 by /rik+ section #b1 #c1 #d1 #e1   
#g1 #aj1 #aa1 or subsection 7b7 ( ?is   
section & ins]t+ ! #ad? or #ae?         
,am5dm5t1 ?is ,act1 or any ,f$]al vot+  
rights law t prohibits discrim9ation on 
! basis ( race1 color1 or memb]%ip 9 a  
language m9ority gr\p2 &  7#b7 by /rik+ 
! ,attorney ,g5]al may in/itute = !     
,unit$ ,/ates1 or 9 ! "n ( ! ,unit$     
,/ates1 & ins]t+ ! aggriev$ p]son or 79 
! "n ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates7 ! ,attorney     
,g5]al may in/itute4  7b7 ,gr\nds =     
,grant+ ,relief ,section #ab7;d7 ( su*  
,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjh7;d77 is      
am5d$-- 7#a7 by /rik+ 7d7 ,:5ev] any    
p]son & ins]t+ 7d77#a7 ,:5ev] any p]son2
  7#b7 by /rik+ 7#a7 to p]mit & ins]t+  
7,a7 to p]mit2  7#c7 by /rik+ 7#b7 to   
c\nt & ins]t+ 7,b7 to c\nt2 &  7#d7 by  
add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3    
7#b7 7,a7 ,9 any action = prelim9>y     
relief describ$ 9 ?is subsection1 ! c\rt
 %all grant ! relief if ! c\rt det]m9es 
t ! compla9ant has rais$ a s]i\s "q :e!r
 ! *all5g$ vot+ qualification or        

pr]equisite to vot+ or /&>d1 practice1  
or proc$ure violates ?is ,act or !      
,con/itution &1 on balance1 ! h>d%ip    
impos$ ^u ! def5dant by ! grant ( !     
relief w be less ?an ! h>d%ip :i* w\ld  
be impos$ ^u ! pla9tiff if ! relief 7 n 
grant$4 ,9 balanc+ ! h>ms1 ! c\rt %all  
give due weight to ! fundam5tal "r to   
ca/ an effective ballot4  7,b7 ,9 mak+  
its det]m9ation "u ?is p>agraph )       
respect to a *ange 9 any vot+           
qualification1 pr]equisite to vot+1 or  
/&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure ) respect to
 vot+1 ! c\rt %all consid] all relevant 
factors & give due weight to ! foll[+   
factors1 if !y are pres5t3 7i7 ,:e!r !  
qualification1 pr]equisite1 /&>d1       
practice1 or proc$ure 9 effect prior to 
! *ange 0 adopt$ z a rem$y = a ,f$]al   
c\rt judgm5t1 cons5t decree1 or         
admission reg>d+-- 7,i7 discrim9ation on
 ! basis ( race or color 9 violation ( !
 #ad? or #ae? ,am5dm5t2  7,,ii7 a       
violation ( ?is ,act2 or  7,,iii7 vot+  
discrim9ation on ! basis ( race1 color1 

or memb]%ip 9 a language m9ority gr\p 9 
violation ( any o!r ,f$]al or ,/ate law4
  7ii7 ,:e!r ! qualification1           
pr]equisite1 /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure
 9 effect prior to ! *ange s]v$ z a     
gr\nd = ! dismissal or settlem5t ( a    
claim alleg+-- 7,i7 discrim9ation on !  
basis ( race or color 9 violation ( !   
#ad? or #ae? ,am5dm5t2  7,,ii7 a        
violation ( ?is ,act2 or  7,,iii7 vot+  
discrim9ation on ! basis ( race1 color1 
or memb]%ip 9 a language m9ority gr\p 9 
violation ( any o!r ,f$]al or ,/ate law4
  7iii7 ,:e!r ! *ange 0 adopt$ few] ?an 
#ahj days be=e ! date ( ! election )    
respect to :i* ! *ange is to take       
effect4  7iv7 ,:e!r ! def5dant has fail$
 to provide timely or complete notice ( 
! adoption ( ! *ange z requir$ by       
applicable ,f$]al or ,/ate law4  4  #i4 
,def9itions ,title ,i ( ! ,vot+ ,rights 
,act ( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja7 is  
am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  #ba4  
,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act3 7#a7 ,indian   
l&s ,! t]m ,indian l&s means-- 7,a7 any 

,indian c\ntry ( ! ,indian ,tribe1 z    
def9$ 9 section #aaea ( title #ah1      
,unit$ ,/ates ,code2  7,b7 any l& 9     
,alaska t is own$1 pursuant to ! ,alaska
 ,native ,claims ,settlem5t ,act 7#dc   
,u4,s4,c4 #afja et seq471 by an ,indian 
,tribe t is a ,native village 7z def9$ 9
 section #c ( t ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4     
#afjb77 or by a ,village ,corporation t 
is associat$ ) ! ,indian ,tribe 7z def9$
 9 section #c ( t ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4   
#afjb772  7,c7 any l& on :i* ! seat (   
gov]nm5t ( ! ,indian ,tribe is locat$2 &
  7,d7 any l& t is "p or all ( a ,tribal
 designat$ /ati/ical area associat$ ) ! 
,indian ,tribe1 or is "p or all ( an    
,alaska ,native village /ati/ical area  
associat$ ) ! ,tribe1 z def9$ by !      
,bureau ( ! ,c5sus = ! purposes ( ! mo/ 
rec5t dec5nial c5sus4  7#b7 ,indian     
tribe ,! t]m ,indian ,tribe or ,tribe   
means any ,am]ican ,indian or ,alaska   
,native ,tribe1 b&1 nation1 pueblo1     
village1 or community t ! ,secret>y ( ! 
,int]ior ackn[l$ges to exi/ z a f$]ally 

recogniz$ ,indian ,tribe "u ! ,f$]ally  
,recogniz$ ,indian ,tribe ,li/ ,act (   
#aiid 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #eacj et seq474    
7#c7 ,vot+-age population ,! t]m        
vot+-age population means ! num]ical    
size ( ! population )9 a ,/ate1 )9 a    
political subdivision1 or )9 a political
 subdivision t conta9s ,indian l&s1 z ! 
case may be1 t consi/s ( p]sons age #ah 
or old]1 z calculat$ by ! ,bureau ( !   
,c5sus "u ! mo/ rec5t dec5nial c5sus4  4
  #aj4 ,bil+ual election requirem5ts    
,section #bjc7;c7 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act
 ( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajejc7;c77 is  
am5d$ by /rik+ #8#8or 9 ! case (        
,alaskan natives & ,am]ican ,indians1 if
 ! pr$om9ant language is hi/orically    
unwritt5'' & ins]t+ #8#87z ( ! date on  
:i* ! mat]ials or in=mation is          
provid$7''4  #aa4 ,o!r te*nical & con=m+
 am5dm5ts  7a7 ,actions ,cov]$ ,"u      
,section #c ,section #c7;c7 ( ! ,vot+   
,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4     
#ajcjb7;c77 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by /rik+ any
 proce$+ in/itut$ by ! ,attorney ,g5]al 

or an aggriev$ p]son "u any /atute to   
en=ce & ins]t+ any action "u any /atute 
9 :i* a p>ty 7includ+ ! ,attorney       
,g5]al7 seeks to en=ce2 &  7#b7 by /rik+
 at ! "t ! proce$+ 0 comm5c$ & ins]t+ at
 ! "t ! action 0 comm5c$4  7b7          
,cl>ification ( ,treatm5t ( ,memb]s (   
,language ,m9ority ,gr\ps ,section      
#d7;f7 ( su* ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4        
#ajcjc7;f77 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 p>agraph  
7#a71 by /rik+ ! second s5t5ce2 &  7#b7 
by /rik+ p>agraphs 7#c7 & 7#d74  7c7    
,p]iod ,dur+ ,:i* ,*anges 9 ,vot+       
,practices are ,subject to ,precle>ance 
,"u ,section #e ,section #e ( su* ,act  
7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjd7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9
 subsection 7a71 by /rik+ bas$ ^u       
det]m9ations made "u ! fir/ s5t5ce (    
section #d7;b7 are 9 effect & ins]t+ are
 9 effect dur+ a cal5d> ye>2  7#b7 9    
subsection 7a71 by /rik+ ,novemb] #a1   
#aifd & all t foll[s ?r\gh ,novemb] #a1 
#aigb & ins]t+ ! applicable date (      
cov]age2 &  7#c7 by add+ at ! end !     
foll[+ new subsection3  7e7 ,! t]m      

applicable date ( cov]age means1 )      
respect to a ,/ate or political         
subdivision-- 7#a7 ,june #be1 #bjac1 if 
! mo/ rec5t det]m9ation = su* ,/ate or  
subdivision "u section #d7;b7 0 made on 
or be=e ,decemb] #ca1 #bjae2 or  7#b7 ! 
date on :i* ! mo/ rec5t det]m9ation =   
su* ,/ate or subdivision "u section     
#d7;b7 0 made1 if su* det]m9ation 0 made
 aft] ,decemb] #ca1 #bjae4  4  #ab4     
,tribal vot+ consultation ,! ,attorney  
,g5]al %all consult annually ) ,tribal  
organizations reg>d+ issues relat$ to   
vot+ = memb]s ( an ,indian ,tribe 7z    
def9$ "u section #ba ( ! ,vot+ ,rights  
,act ( #aife1 z add$ by section #i ( ?is
 ,act74