,i  #aag? ,,congress  #a/ ,session  ,h4 
,r4 #d  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,(              
,,repres5tatives  ,augu/ #ag1 #bjba,ms4 
,sewell 7= h]self1 ,ms4 ,pelosi1 ,mr4   
,hoy]1 ,mr4 ,clyburn1 ,mr4 ,nadl]1 ,mr4 
,coh51 ,ms4 ,l(gr51 ,mr4 ,butt]field1   
,mrs4 ,beatty1 ,mr4 ,ruiz1 ,ms4 ,*u1    
,ms4 ,jackson ,lee1 ,mr4 ,johnson (     
,georgia1 ,mr4 ,deut*1 ,ms4 ,bass1 ,mr4 
,jeffries1 ,mr4 ,cicill9e1 ,mr4         
,swalwell1 ,mr4 ,lieu1 ,mr4 ,rask91 ,ms4
 ,jayapal1 ,mrs4 ,dem+s1 ,mr4 ,correa1  
,ms4 ,scanlon1 ,ms4 ,g>cia ( ,texas1    
,mr4 ,neguse1 ,mrs4 ,mc,bath1 ,mr4      
,/anton1 ,ms4 ,dean1 ,ms4 ,escob>1 ,mr4 
,jones1 ,ms4 ,ross1 ,ms4 ,bu%1 ,ms4     
,adams1 ,mr4 ,aguil>1 ,mr4 ,allr$1 ,mr4 
,au*9closs1 ,mrs4 ,axne1 ,mr4 ,b]a1 ,mr4
 ,bi%op ( ,georgia1 ,mr4 ,blum5au]1 ,ms4
 ,bonamici1 ,ms4 ,b\rdeaux1 ,mr4 ,b[man1
 ,mr4 ,br5dan ,f4 ,boyle ( ,p5nsylvania1
 ,mr4 ,br[n1 ,ms4 ,br[nley1 ,mr4        
,c>bajal1 ,mr4 ,crd5as1 ,mr4 ,c>son1    
,mr4 ,c>t] ( ,l\isiana1 ,mr4 ,ca/51 ,ms4
 ,ca/or ( ,florida1 ,mr4 ,ca/ro (       

,texas1 ,ms4 ,cl>k ( ,massa*usetts1 ,ms4
 ,cl>ke ( ,new ,york1 ,mr4 ,cleav]1 ,mr4
 ,coop]1 ,mr4 ,co/a1 ,mr4 ,c\rtney1 ,ms4
 ,craig1 ,mr4 ,cri/1 ,mr4 ,danny ,k4    
,davis ( ,ill9ois1 ,mr4 ,de,fazio1 ,ms4 
,de,gette1 ,ms4 ,del,bene1 ,mr4         
,delgado1 ,mr4 ,de,saulnier1 ,mrs4      
,d+ell1 ,ms4 ,e%oo1 ,mr4 ,espaillat1    
,mr4 ,evans1 ,mrs4 ,flet*]1 ,mr4 ,fo/]1 
,mr4 ,gallego1 ,mr4 ,g>am5di1 ,mr4      
,got!im]1 ,mr4 ,gre5 ( ,texas1 ,mr4     
,grijalva1 ,mrs4 ,hayes1 ,mr4 ,himes1   
,mr4 ,hors=d1 ,ms4 ,h\lahan1 ,mr4       
,huffman1 ,ms4 ,johnson ( ,texas1 ,mr4  
,kahele1 ,mr4 ,kildee1 ,mr4 ,kilm]1 ,mr4
 ,kim ( ,new ,j]sey1 ,mr4 ,k9d1 ,mrs4   
,kirkpatrick1 ,mr4 ,kri%namoor?i1 ,ms4  
,ku/]1 ,mr4 ,lamb1 ,mr4 ,langev91 ,mr4  
,l>s5 ( ,wa%+ton1 ,mr4 ,l>son (         
,connecticut1 ,mrs4 ,lawr5ce1 ,mr4      
,lawson ( ,florida1 ,ms4 ,lee (         
,cali=nia1 ,ms4 ,leg] ,f]n&ez1 ,mr4     
,lev9 ( ,cali=nia1 ,mr4 ,lyn*1 ,mr4     
,mal9[ski1 ,mrs4 ,c>olyn ,b4 ,maloney ( 
,new ,york1 ,mr4 ,sean ,patrick ,maloney

 ( ,new ,york1 ,ms4 ,mann+1 ,ms4        
,matsui1 ,ms4 ,mc,collum1 ,mr4          
,mc,eachin1 ,mr4 ,mc,govern1 ,mr4       
,mc,nerney1 ,mr4 ,meeks1 ,ms4 ,m5g1 ,mr4
 ,mfume1 ,ms4 ,moore ( ,wiscons91 ,mr4  
,morelle1 ,mr4 ,m\lton1 ,mr4 ,mrvan1    
,mrs4 ,murphy ( ,florida1 ,mrs4         
,napolitano1 ,mr4 ,neal1 ,ms4 ,norton1  
,ms4 ,ocasio-,cortez1 ,ms4 ,om>1 ,mr4   
,pallone1 ,mr4 ,panetta1 ,mr4 ,pappas1  
,mr4 ,pascrell1 ,mr4 ,payne1 ,mr4       
,pet]s1 ,mr4 ,phillips1 ,ms4 ,plaskett1 
,mr4 ,pocan1 ,ms4 ,port]1 ,ms4          
,pressley1 ,mr4 ,price ( ,nor? ,c>ol9a1 
,mr4 ,quigley1 ,miss ,rice ( ,new ,york1
 ,ms4 ,blunt ,ro*e/]1 ,mr4 ,rupp]sb]g]1 
,mr4 ,ru%1 ,ms4 ,sn*ez1 ,mr4 ,s>banes1  
,ms4 ,s*ak[sky1 ,mr4 ,s*iff1 ,mr4       
,s*neid]1 ,mr4 ,s*rad]1 ,ms4 ,s*ri]1    
,mr4 ,david ,scott ( ,georgia1 ,mr4     
,scott ( ,virg9ia1 ,mr4 ,%]man1 ,ms4    
,%]rill1 ,mr4 ,sires1 ,mr4 ,smi? (      
,wa%+ton1 ,ms4 ,spanb]g]1 ,ms4 ,spei]1  
,ms4 ,/ansbury1 ,ms4 ,/ev5s1 ,ms4       
,/rickl&1 ,mr4 ,suozzi1 ,mr4 ,takano1   

,mr4 ,?ompson ( ,cali=nia1 ,ms4 ,titus1 
,ms4 ,tlaib1 ,mrs4 ,torres ( ,cali=nia1 
,mr4 ,torres ( ,new ,york1 ,mr4 ,trone1 
,ms4 ,und]wood1 ,mr4 ,veasey1 ,mr4      
,vela1 ,ms4 ,velzquez1 ,ms4 ,wass]man   
,s*ultz1 ,ms4 ,wat]s1 ,mrs4 ,watson     
,coleman1 ,mr4 ,wel*1 ,ms4 ,wild1 ,ms4  
,williams ( ,georgia1 ,ms4 ,wilson (    
,florida1 ,mr4 ,y>mu?1 ,mr4 ,case1 ,mr4 
,ryan1 ,ms4 ,jacobs ( ,cali=nia1 ,mr4   
,khanna1 ,mrs4 ,trahan1 ,mr4 ,v>gas1    
,mr4 ,norcross1 ,mr4 ,lev9 ( ,mi*igan1  
,ms4 ,newman1 ,mr4 ,h>d] ( ,cali=nia1   
,mr4 ,gomez1 & ,mr4 ,bey]7 introduc$ !  
foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 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 ,r4 ,lewis ,vot+ ,rights        
,advancem5t ,act ( #bjba4  #b4 ,vote    
dilution1 d5ial1 & abridgm5t claims  7a7
 ,9 g5]al ,section #b7;a7 ( ! ,vot+     

,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4     
#ajcja7;a77 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by ins]t+   
aft] appli$ by any ,/ate or political   
subdivision ! foll[+3 = ! purpose (1 or2
 &  7#b7 by /rik+ z provid$ 9 subsection
 7b7 & ins]t+ z provid$ 9 subsection    
7b71 7c71 7d71 or 7e74  7b7 ,vote       
dilution ,section #b7;b7 ( su* ,act 7#eb
 ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja7;b77 is am5d$-- 7#a7  
by ins]t+ aft] ,a violation ( subsection
 7a7 ! foll[+3 = vote dilution2  7#b7 by
 ins]t+ aft] ! p]iod at ! end ! foll[+3 
,= ! purposes ( ?is subsection32  7#c7  
by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraphs3
  7#a7 ,to prevail1 a pla9tiff %all1 z a
 ?re%old matt]1 e/abli% t-- 7,a7 !      
memb]s ( ! protect$ class are           
suffici5tly num]\s & geographically     
compact to con/itute a majority 9 a     
s+le-memb] di/rict2  7,b7 ! memb]s ( !  
protect$ class are g5]ally politically  
align$2 &  7,c7 ! resid5ts ( t di/rict  
:o are n ! memb]s ( ! protect$ class    
vote suffici5tly z a bloc to enable !m  
to defeat ! pref]r$ c&idates ( ! memb]s 

( ! protect$ class4  7#b7 ,^u a pla9tiff
 e/abli%+ ! requir$ ?re%old %[+ "u      
p>agraph 7#a71 a c\rt %all conduct a    
totality ( ! circum/ances analysis )    
respect to a claim ( vote dilution to   
det]m9e :e!r !re 0 a violation (        
subsection 7a71 :i* %all include !      
foll[+ factors3 7,a7 ,! ext5t ! hi/ory (
 (ficial vot+ discrim9ation 9 ! ,/ate or
 political subdivision4  7,b7 ,! ext5t  
to :i* vot+ 9 ! elections ( ! ,/ate or  
political subdivision is racially       
pol>iz$4  7,c7 ,! ext5t to :i* ! ,/ate  
or political subdivision has us$ vot+   
practices or proc$ures t t5d to enhance 
! opportunity = discrim9ation aga9/ !   
memb]s ( ! protect$ class1 su* z        
unusually l>ge election di/ricts1       
prohibitions aga9/ bullet-vot+1 &       
majority vote requirem5ts4  7,d7 ,if !re
 is a c&idate slat+ process1 :e!r !     
memb]s ( ! protect$ class h be5 d5i$    
access to t process4  7,e7 ,! ext5t to  
:i* memb]s ( ! protect$ class 9 ! ,/ate 
or political subdivision be> ! effects (

 discrim9ation 9 su* areas z education1 
employm5t1 & heal?1 :i* h9d] _! ability 
to p>ticipate effectively 9 ! political 
process4  7,f7 ,:e!r political campaigns
 h be5 *>act]iz$ by ov]t or subtle      
racial appeals4  7,g7 ,! ext5t to :i*   
memb]s ( ! protect$ class h be5 elect$  
to public (fice 9 ! jurisdiction4  7#c7 
,9 conduct+ a totality ( ! circum/ances 
analysis "u p>agraph 7#b71 a c\rt may   
consid] su* o!r factors z ! c\rt may    
det]m9e to be relevant1 includ+-- 7,a7  
:e!r !re is a significant lack (        
responsiv5ess on ! "p ( elect$ (ficials 
to ! p>ticul>iz$ ne$s ( ! memb]s ( !    
protect$ class2 &  7,b7 :e!r ! policy   
und]ly+ ! ,/ate or political            
subdivision's use ( su* vot+            
qualification1 pr]equisite to vot+1 or  
/&>d1 practice or proc$ure is t5u\s4    
7#d7 ,a class ( citiz5s protect$ by     
subsection 7a7 may include a cohesive   
coalition ( memb]s ( diff]5t racial or  
language m9ority gr\ps4  2 &  7#d7 ,vote
 d5ial or abridgem5t ,section #b ( su*  

,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja71 z am5d$ by 
subsections 7a7 & 7b71 is fur!r am5d$ by
 add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7c7 7#a7 ,a   
violation ( subsection 7a7 result+ 9    
vote d5ial or abridgm5t is e/abli%$ if !
 *all5g$ qualification1 pr]equisite1    
/&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure imposes a   
discrim9atory burd5 on memb]s ( a class 
( citiz5s protect$ by subsection 7a71 9 
t-- 7,a7 memb]s ( ! protect$ class face 
great] difficulty 9 comply+ ) !         
requirem5t1 consid]+ ! totality ( !     
circum/ances2 &  7,b7 ! great]          
difficulty is1 at lea/ 9 "p1 caus$ by or
 l9k$ to social & hi/orical conditions t
 h produc$ or produce on ! date ( su*   
*all5ge discrim9ation aga9/ memb]s ( !  
protect$ class4  7#b7 ,! *all5g$        
qualification1 pr]equisite1 /&>d1       
practice1 or proc$ure ne$ only be a b-= 
cause ( ! discrim9atory burd5 describ$ 9
 p>agraph 7#a7 or p]petuate a pre-exi/+ 
burd54  7#c7 7,a7 ,! factors t are      
relevant to a totality ( ! circum/ances 
analysis ) respect to a claim ( vote    

d5ial or abridgem5t pursuant to ?is     
subsection include ! foll[+3 7i7 ,!     
hi/ory ( (ficial vot+-relat$            
discrim9ation 9 ! ,/ate or political    
subdivision4  7ii7 ,! ext5t to :i* vot+ 
9 ! elections ( ! ,/ate or political    
subdivision is racially pol>iz$4  7iii7 
,! ext5t to :i* ! ,/ate or political    
subdivision has us$ photographic vot]   
id5tification requirem5ts1 docum5t>y    
pro( ( citiz5%ip requirem5ts1 docum5t>y 
pro( ( resid5ce requirem5ts1 or o!r vot+
 practices or proc$ures1 beyond ^?      
requir$ by ,f$]al law1 t may impair !   
ability ( memb]s ( ! m9ority gr\p to    
p>ticipate fully 9 ! political process4 
7iv7 ,! ext5t to :i* m9ority gr\p memb]s
 be> ! effects ( discrim9ation 9 areas  
su* z education1 employm5t1 & heal?1 :i*
 h9d] _! ability to p>ticipate          
effectively 9 ! political process4  7v7 
,! use ( ov]t or subtle racial appeals  
ei!r 9 political campaigns or surr\nd+  
adoption or ma9t5ance ( ! *all5g$       
practice4  7vi7 ,! ext5t to :i* memb]s (

 ! m9ority gr\p h be5 elect$ to public  
(fice 9 ! jurisdiction1 provid$ t ! fact
 t ! m9ority gr\p is too small to elect 
c&idates ( its *oice %all n defeat a    
claim ( vote d5ial or abridgm5t4  7vii7 
,:e!r !re is a lack ( responsiv5ess on !
 "p ( elect$ (ficials to ! p>ticul>iz$  
ne$s ( m9ority gr\p memb]s4  7viii7     
,:e!r ! policy und]ly+ ! ,/ate or       
political subdivision's use ( ! *all5g$ 
qualification1 pr]equisite1 /&>d1       
practice1 or proc$ure is t5u\s4  7ix7   
,subject to p>agraph 7#d71 su* o!r      
factors z ! c\rt may det]m9e to be      
relevant4  7,b7 ,! factors describ$ 9   
subp>agraph 7,a71 individually &        
collectively1 %all be consid]$ z a means
 ( e/abli%+ t a vot+ practice amplifies 
! effects ( pa/ or pres5t discrim9ation 
9 violation 9 subsection 7a74  7,c7 ,a  
pla9tiff ne$ n %[ any p>ticul>          
comb9ation or numb] ( factors to e/abli%
 a violation ( subsection 7a74  7#d7 ,! 
factors t are relevant to a totality ( !
 circum/ances analysis ) respect to a   

claim ( vote d5ial or abridgem5t d n    
include ! foll[+3 7,a7 ,! total numb] or
 %>e ( memb]s ( a protect$ class on :om 
a *all5g$ qualification1 pr]equisite1   
/&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure does n      
impose a mat]ial burd54  7,b7 ,! degree 
to :i* ! *all5g$ qualification1         
pr]equisite1 /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure
 has a long p$igree or 0 9 widespread   
use at "s e>li] date4  7,c7 ,! use ( an 
id5tical or simil> qualification1       
pr]equisite1 /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure
 9 o!r ,/ates or jurisdictions4  7,d7 ,!
 availability ( o!r =ms ( vot+ unimpact$
 by ! *all5g$ qualification1            
pr]equisite1 /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure
 to all memb]s ( ! electorate1 includ+  
memb]s ( ! protect$ class1 unless !     
jurisdiction is simultane\sly exp&+ su* 
o!r practices to elim9ate any           
disproportionate burd5 impos$ by !      
*all5g$ qualification1 pr]equisite1     
/&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure4  7,e7 ,a   
prophylactic impact on pot5tial crim9al 
activity by individual vot]s1 if su*    

crimes h n occurr$ 9 ! jurisdiction 9   
sub/antial numb]s4  7,f7 ,m]e invocation
 ( int]e/s 9 vot] confid5ce or prev5tion
 ( fraud4  7d7 7#a7 ,a violation (      
subsection 7a7 = ! purpose ( vote d5ial 
or abridgem5t is e/abli%$ if ! *all5g$  
qualification1 pr]equisite1 /&>d1       
practice1 or proc$ure is int5d$1 at lea/
 9 "p1 to dilute m9ority vot+ /r5g? or  
to d5y or abridge ! "r ( any citiz5 ( ! 
,unit$ ,/ates to vote on acc\nt ( race1 
color1 or 9 contrav5tion ( ! gu>antees  
set =? 9 section #d7;f77#b74  7#b7      
,discrim9ation on acc\nt ( race1 color1 
or 9 contrav5tion ( ! gu>antees set =? 9
 section #d7;f77#b7 ne$ only be "o      
purpose ( a qualification1 pr]equisite1 
/&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure to          
demon/rate a violation ( subsection 7a74
  7#c7 ,a qualification1 pr]equisite1   
/&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure int5d$ to   
dilute m9ority vot+ /r5g? or to make x m
 difficult = m9ority vot]s to ca/ a     
ballot t w be c\nt$ violates ?is        
subsection ev5 if an additional purpose 

( ! qualification1 pr]equisite1 /&>d1   
practice1 or proc$ure is to b5efit a    
p>ticul> political p>ty or gr\p4  7#d7  
,! context = ! adoption ( ! *all5g$     
qualification1 pr]equisite1 /&>d1       
practice1 or proc$ure1 includ+ actions  
by (ficial decisionmak]s be=e ! *all5g$ 
qualification1 pr]equisite1 /&>d1       
practice1 or proc$ure1 may be relevant  
to a violation ( ?is subsection4  7#e7  
,claims "u ?is subsection require pro( (
 a discrim9atory impact b d n require   
pro( ( a violation pursuant to          
subsection 7b7 or 7c74  4  #c4          
,retrogression ,section #b ( ! ,vot+    
,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4     
#ajcja et seq471 z am5d$ by section #b (
 ?is ,act1 is fur!r am5d$ by add+ at !  
end ! foll[+3  7e7 ,a violation (       
subsection 7a7 is e/abli%$ ) respect to 
any *all5g$ qualification1 pr]equisite1 
/&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure t has n be5 
impos$ or appli$ 9 an election z ( !    
date ( su* *all5ge1 if su*              
qualification1 pr]equisite1 /&>d1       

practice1 or proc$ure has ! purpose or w
 h ! effect ( d5y+ or abridg+ ! "r to   
vote on acc\nt ( race or color1 or 9    
contrav5tion ( ! gu>antees set =? 9     
section #d7;f77#b71 )9 ! mean+ ( section
 #e4  4  #d4 ,violations trigg]+        
au?ority ( c\rt to reta9 jurisdiction   
7a7 ,types ( ,violations ,section #c7;c7
 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb    
,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjb7;c77 is am5d$ 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    

#e4 ,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 fifte5 or m vot+ rights    
violations occurr$ 9 ! ,/ate dur+ !     
previ\s #be cal5d> ye>s2  7ii7 t5 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 
! ,/ate72 or  7iii7 ?ree or m vot+      
rights violations occurr$ 9 ! ,/ate dur+
 ! previ\s #be cal5d> ye>s & ! ,/ate    
itself adm9i/]s ! elections 9 ! ,/ate or

 political subdivisions 9 :i* ! vot+    
rights violations occurr$4  7,b7        
,application to specific political      
subdivisions ,subsection 7a7 applies )  
respect to a political subdivision z a  
sep>ate unit dur+ a cal5d> ye> if ?ree  
or m vot+ rights violations occurr$ 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 ,judicial relief2 violation ( !    
#ad? or #ae? ,am5dm5t ,any f9al judgm5t1

 or any prelim9>y1 tempor>y1 or         
decl>atory relief 7t 0 n rev]s$ on      
appeal71 9 :i* ! pla9tiff prevail$ or a 
c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates f\nd t ! pla9tiff
 demon/rat$ a likelihood ( success on ! 
m]its or rais$ a "q ) reg>d to race     
discrim9ation1 9 :i* any c\rt ( ! ,unit$
 ,/ates 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\p      
occurr$1 or t a vot+ qualification or   
pr]equisite to vot+ or /&>d1 practice1  
or proc$ure ) respect to vot+ creat$ an 
undue burd5 on ! "r to vote 9 connection
 ) a claim t ! law unduly burd5$ vot]s (
 a p>ticul> race1 color1 or language    
m9ority gr\p1 9 violation ( ! #ad? or   
#ae? ,am5dm5t1 any:]e )9 ! ,/ate or     
subdivision4  7,b7 ,judicial relief2    
violations ( ?is ,act ,any f9al judgm5t1
 or any prelim9>y1 tempor>y1 or         
decl>atory relief 7t 0 n rev]s$ on      
appeal7 9 :i* ! pla9tiff prevail$ or a  
c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates f\nd t ! pla9tiff

 demon/rat$ a likelihood ( success on ! 
m]its or rais$ a s]i\s "q ) reg>d to    
race discrim9ation1 9 :i* any c\rt ( !  
,unit$ ,/ates 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 #d7;e7 or #d7;f7 or section  
#b1 #bja1 or #bjc ( ?is ,act4  7,c7     
,f9al judgm5t2 ,d5ial ( decl>atory      
judgm5t ,9 a f9al judgm5t 7t 0 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  
#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 ,a violation p] ?is        
subsection has n occurr$ :]e an         
objection has be5 )drawn by ! ,attorney 
,g5]al1 unless ! )drawal 0 9 response to
 a *ange 9 ! law or practice t s]v$ z ! 
basis ( ! objection4 ,a violation "u ?is
 subsection has n occurr$ :]e !         
objection is bas$ solely on a ,/ate or  
political subdivision's failure to      
comply ) a proc$ural process t w\ld n   
o!rwise con/itute an indep5d5t violation
 ( ?is act4  7,e7 ,cons5t decree1       
settlem5t1 or o!r agreem5t ,a cons5t    
decree1 settlem5t1 or o!r agreem5t 0    
adopt$ or ent]$ by a c\rt ( ! ,unit$    
,/ates or conta9$ an admission (        
liability by ! def5dants1 :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 #d7;e7 or 
#d7;f7 or section #b1 #bja1 or #bjc (   
?is ,act1 or ! #ad? or #ae? ,am5dm5t4   
,an ext5sion or modification ( an       
agreem5t z def9$ by ?is subsection t has
 be5 9 place = t5 ye>s or long] %all    
c\nt z an indep5d5t violation4 ,if a    
c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates f9ds t an        
agreem5t itself z def9$ by ?is          
subsection d5i$ or abridg$ ! "r ( any   
citiz5 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates to vote on     
acc\nt ( race1 color1 or memb]%ip 9 a   
language m9ority gr\p1 violat$          
subsection #d7;e7 or #d7;f7 or section  
#b1 #bja1 or #bjc ( ?is ,act1 or creat$ 
an undue burd5 on ! "r to vote 9        
connection ) a claim t ! cons5t decree1 
settlem5t1 or o!r agreem5t unduly burd5$
 vot]s ( a p>ticul> race1 color1 or     
language m9ority gr\p1 t f9d+ %all c\nt 

z an indep5d5t violation4  7,f7         
,multiple violations ,ea* vot+          
qualification or pr]equisite to vot+ or 
/&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure ) respect to
 vot+1 includ+ ea* r$i/rict+ plan1 f\nd 
to be a violation by a c\rt ( ! ,unit$  
,/ates pursuant to subsection 7a7 or    
7b71 or prev5t$ f en=cem5t pursuant to  
subsection 7c7 or 7d71 or alt]$ or      
ab&on$ pursuant to subsection 7e7 %all  
c\nt z an indep5d5t violation4 ,)9 a    
r$i/rict+ plan1 ea* violation f\nd to   
discrim9ate aga9/ any gr\p ( vot]s bas$ 
on race1 color1 or language m9ority gr\p
 %all c\nt z an indep5d5t violation4    
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  #f4 ,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 two 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 multi-memb] di/rict 9
 a ,/ate or political subdivision :]e-- 
7i7 two 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$uces by #c or m      
p]c5tage po9ts ! proportion ( !         
jurisdiction's vot+-age population t is 
compris$ ( memb]s ( a s+le racial gr\p  
or language m9ority gr\p 9 a ,/ate or   
political subdivision :]e-- 7,a7 two 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$i/rict+ ,any *ange to ! b\nd>ies (    
election di/ricts 9 a ,/ate or political
 subdivision :]e any racial gr\p or     
language m9ority gr\p t is n ! l>ge/    
racial gr\p or language m9ority gr\p 9 !
 jurisdiction & t repres5ts #ae p]c5t or
 m ( ! ,/ate or political subdivision's 
vot+-age population exp]i5ces a         
population increase ( at lea/ #bj p]c5t 
( its vot+-age population1 ov] ! prec$+ 
decade 7z calculat$ by ! ,bureau ( !    

,c5sus "u ! mo/ rec5t dec5nial c5sus71 9
 ! jurisdiction4  7#d7 ,*anges 9        
docum5tation or qualifications to vote  
,any *ange to requirem5ts = docum5tation
 or pro( ( id5tity to vote or regi/] to 
vote t w exce$ or be m /r+5t ?an su*    
requirem5ts "u ,/ate law on ! day be=e !
 date ( enactm5t ( ! ,john ,r4 ,lewis   
,vot+ ,rights ,advancem5t ,act ( #bjba2 
& fur!r1 if a ,/ate has 9 effect a      
requirem5t t an individual pres5t       
id5tification z a condition ( receiv+ & 
ca/+ a ballot 9 an election = ,f$]al    
(fice1 if ! ,/ate does n p]mit !        
individual to meet ! requirem5t & ca/ a 
ballot 9 ! election 9 ! same mann] z an 
individual :o pres5ts id5tification--   
7,a7 9 ! case ( an individual :o desires
 to vote 9 p]son1 by pres5t+ !          
appropriate ,/ate or local election     
(ficial ) a sworn writt5 /atem5t1 sign$ 
by ! individual "u p5alty ( p]jury1     
atte/+ to ! individual's id5tity &      
atte/+ t ! individual is eligible to    
vote 9 ! election2 &  7,b7 9 ! case ( an

 individual :o desires to vote by mail1 
by submitt+ ) ! ballot ! /atem5t        
describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a74  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$uce1 consolidate1 or        
relocate vot+ locations1 or r$uce vot+  
opportunities ,any *ange t r$uces1      
consolidates1 or relocates vot+         
locations1 includ+ e>ly1 abs5tee1 &     
election-day vot+ locations1 or r$uces  
days or h\rs ( 9-p]son vot+ on any      
,sunday dur+ a p]iod occurr+ prior to ! 
date ( an election dur+ :i* vot]s may   
ca/ ballots 9 su* election1 or prohibits
 ! provision ( food or non-alcoholic    
dr9k to p]sons wait+ to vote 9 an       
election except :]e ! provision w\ld    
violate prohibitions on exp5ditures to  
influ5ce vot+-- 7,a7 9 "o or m c5sus    
tracts :]e9 two 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  7#g7 ,new li/   
ma9t5ance process ,any *ange to !       
ma9t5ance ( vot] regi/ration li/s t adds
 a new basis = removal f ! li/ ( active 
regi/]$ vot]s or t incorporates new     
s\rces ( in=mation 9 det]m9+ a vot]'s   
eligibility to vote1 :]e9 su* a *ange   
w\ld h a /ati/ically significant        
disp>ate impact on ! removal f vot]     
rolls ( memb]s ( racial gr\ps or        
language m9ority gr\ps t con/itute      
great] ?an #e p]c5t ( ! vot+-age        
population-- 7,a7 9 ! case ( a political
 subdivision impos+ su* *ange if-- 7i7  
two or m racial gr\ps or language       
m9ority gr\ps ea* repres5t #bj p]c5t or 
m ( ! vot+-age population ( ! political 
subdivision2 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 9 ! case ( a ,/ate
 impos+ su* *ange1 if two or m racial   
gr\ps or language m9ority gr\ps ea*     
repres5t #bj p]c5t or m ( ! vot+-age    
population (-- 7i7 ! ,/ate2 or  7ii7 a  
political subdivision 9 ! ,/ate1 except 
t ! requirem5ts "u subsections 7a7 & 7c7
 %all apply only ) respect to ea* su*   
political subdivision4  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
 ( ?ree 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  #g4 ,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 qualification or  
pr]equisite to vot+ or /&>d1 practice1  
or proc$ure ) respect to vot+ 9 any     
election = ,f$]al (fice t w result 9 !  
qualification or 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 ! website ( !
 ,/ate or political subdivision1 ( a    
concise description ( ! *ange1 includ+ !
 diff]5ce betwe5 ! *ang$ qualification  
or 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 ! website ( a ,/ate or 
political subdivision1 %all be 9 a =mat 
t is reasonably conv5i5t & accessible to
 p]sons ) disabilities :o are eligible  
to vote1 includ+ p]sons :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 ! website ( a ,/ate or 
political subdivision1 ( ! 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 ! website ( a ,/ate or 
political subdivision1 %all be 9 a =mat 
t is reasonably conv5i5t & accessible to
 p]sons ) disabilities :o are eligible  

to vote1 includ+ p]sons :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 p]sons ) disabilities :o are        
eligible to vote1 includ+ p]sons :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 ! website ( a ,/ate or 
political subdivision1 ( ! *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 & publi%$ on !  
website ( a ,/ate or political          
subdivision %all be 9 a =mat t is       
reasonably conv5i5t & accessible to     
p]sons ) disabilities :o are eligible to
 vote1 includ+ p]sons :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 ! website ( a
 ,/ate or political subdivision1 ( !    
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 #iaja ( ! ,elem5t>y & ,second>y 
,education ,act ( #aife74  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 to a vot+        
qualification1 pr]equisite1 /&>d1       
practice1 or proc$ure if ! ,/ate or     
political subdivision involv$ 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 ( #aiij4  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  #h4 
,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 or  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$--   
7#a7 by /rik+ or at ! end ( p>agraph    
7#a72  7#b7 by ins]t+ aft] p>agraph 7#b7
 ! foll[+3  7#c7 ! ,attorney ,g5]al     
c]tifies ) respect to a political       
subdivision t-- 7,a7 ! ,attorney ,g5]al 
has receiv$ 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  2 &  7#c7 by mov+ ! m>g9 = !     
cont9uation text foll[+ p>agraph 7#c71 z
 add$ by p>agraph 7#b7 ( ?is subsection1

 #b ems to ! left4  7c7 ,transf]ral (   
au?ority ov] obs]v]s to ! ,attorney     
,g5]al  7#a7 ,en=cem5t proce$+s ,section
 #c7;a7 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife  
7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjb7;a77 is am5d$ by  
/rik+ ,unit$ ,/ates ,civil ,s]vice      
,commission 9 accordance ) section #f & 
ins]t+ ,attorney ,g5]al 9 accordance )  
section #h4  7#b7 ,obs]v]s2 appo9tm5t & 
comp5sation ,section #h ( ! ,vot+       
,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4     
#ajcje7 is am5d$-- 7,a7 9 subsection    
7a77#b71 9 ! matt] foll[+ subp>agraph   
7,b71 by /rik+ ,director ( ! ,(fice (   
,p]sonnel ,managem5t %all assign z _m   
obs]v]s = su* subdivision z ! ,director 
& ins]t+ ,attorney ,g5]al %all assign z 
_m obs]v]s = su* subdivision z !        
,attorney ,g5]al2 &  7,b7 9 subsection  
7c71 by /rik+ ,director ( ! ,(fice (    
,p]sonnel ,managem5t & ins]t+ ,attorney 
,g5]al4  7#c7 ,t]m9ation ( c]ta9        
appo9tm5ts ( obs]v]s ,section           
#ac7;a77#a7 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act (    
#aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcji7;a77#a77 is 

am5d$ by /rik+ notifies ! ,director ( ! 
,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t1 & ins]t+ 
det]m9es14  #i4 ,cl>ification ( au?ority
 to seek relief  7a7 ,poll tax ,section 
#aj7;b7 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife  
7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjf7;b77 is am5d$ by  
/rik+ ! ,attorney ,g5]al is au?oriz$ &  
direct$ to in/itute =?) 9 ! "n ( !      
,unit$ ,/ates su* actions & ins]t+ an   
aggriev$ p]son or 79 ! "n ( ! ,unit$    
,/ates7 ! ,attorney ,g5]al may in/itute 
su* actions4  7b7 ,cause ( action       
,section #ab7;d7 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act 
( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjh7;d77 is   
am5d$-- 7#a7 by /rik+ ,:5ev] any p]son  
has engag$ & all t foll[s ?r\gh 9 ! "n (
 ! ,unit$ ,/ates & ins]t+ 7#a7 ,:5ev]   
!re are reasonable gr\nds to believe t  
any p]son has implem5t$ or w implem5t   
any vot+ qualification or pr]equisite to
 vot+ or /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure t  
w\ld 7,a7 d5y any citiz5 ! "r to vote 9 
violation ( ! #ad?1 #ae?1 #ai?1 #bd?1 or
 #bf? ,am5dm5ts1 or 7,b7 w\ld violate   
?is ,act 7except = section #d;,a7 or any

 o!r ,f$]al law t prohibits             
discrim9ation on ! basis ( race1 color1 
or memb]%ip 9 a language m9ority gr\p 9 
! vot+ process1 an aggriev$ p]son or 79 
! "n ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates7 ! ,attorney     
,g5]al may in/itute2 &  7#b7 by /rik+ 1 
& includ+ an ord] direct$ to ! ,/ate &  
,/ate or local election (ficials to     
require !m 7#a7 to p]mit p]sons li/$ "u 
*apt]s #ajc to #ajg ( ?is title to vote 
& 7#b7 to c\nt su* votes4  7c7 ,judicial
 relief ,section #bjd ( ! ,vot+ ,rights 
,act ( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajejd7 is  
am5d$ by /rik+ ,:5ev] ! ,attorney ,g5]al
 has reason to believe & all t foll[s   
?r\gh z he deems appropriate & ins]t+   
,:5ev] !re are reasonable gr\nds to     
believe t a ,/ate or political          
subdivision has engag$ or is ab\t to    
engage 9 any act or practice prohibit$  
by a provision ( title ,,ii1 an aggriev$
 p]son or 79 ! "n ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates7 !  
,attorney ,g5]al may in/itute an action 
9 a di/rict c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 = a 
re/ra9+ ord]1 a prelim9>y or p]man5t    

injunction1 or su* o!r ord] z may be    
appropriate4  7d7 ,en=cem5t (           
tw5ty-,six? ,am5dm5t ,section           
#cja7;a77#a7 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act (   
#aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgja7 is am5d$ by
 /rik+ ,! ,attorney ,g5]al is direct$ to
 in/itute & all t foll[s ?r\gh          
,con/itution ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates & ins]t+ 
,an aggriev$ p]son or 79 ! "n ( ! ,unit$
 ,/ates7 ! ,attorney ,g5]al may in/itute
 an action 9 a di/rict c\rt ( ! ,unit$  
,/ates1 = a re/ra9+ ord]1 a prelim9>y or
 p]man5t injunction1 or su* o!r ord] z  
may be appropriate to implem5t !        
tw5ty-six? am5dm5t to ! ,con/itution ( !
 ,unit$ ,/ates4  #aj4 ,prev5tive relief 
,section #ab7;d7 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act 
( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjh7;d771 z   
am5d$ by section #i1 is fur!r am5d$ by  
add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7#b7 7,a7 ,9   
consid]+ any motion = prelim9>y relief 9
 any action = prev5tive relief describ$ 
9 ?is subsection1 ! c\rt %all grant !   
relief if ! c\rt det]m9es t ! compla9ant
 has rais$ a "q z to :e!r ! *all5g$ vot+

 qualification or pr]equisite to vot+ or
 /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure violates   
?is ,act or ! ,con/itution &1 on        
balance1 ! h>d%ip impos$ on ! def5dant  
by ! grant ( ! relief w be less ?an !   
h>d%ip :i* w\ld be impos$ on ! pla9tiff 
if ! relief 7 n grant$4  7,b7 ,9 mak+   
its det]m9ation "u ?is p>agraph )       
respect to a *ange 9 any vot+           
qualification1 pr]equisite to vot+1 or  
/&>d1 practice1 or proc$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 ( ! #ai?1 #bd?1 or #bf?       
,am5dm5ts2  7,,iii7 a violation ( ?is   
,act2 or  7,,iv7 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 ( ! #ai?1 #bd?1 or   
#bf? ,am5dm5t2  7,,iii7 a violation (   
?is ,act2 or  7,,iv7 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 or takes      
effect4  7iv7 ,:e!r ! def5dant has fail$
 to provide timely or complete notice ( 
! adoption ( ! *ange z requir$ by       
applicable ,f$]al or ,/ate law4  7#c7 ,a
 jurisdiction's inability to en=ce its  
vot+ or election laws1 regulations1     
policies1 or r$i/rict+ plans1 /&+ alone1
 %all n be deem$ to con/itute irrep>able

 h>m to ! public int]e/ or to ! int]e/s 
( a def5dant 9 an action aris+ "u !     
,con/itution or any ,f$]al law t        
prohibits discrim9ation on ! basis (    
race1 color1 or memb]%ip 9 a language   
m9ority gr\p 9 ! vot+ process1 = !      
purposes ( det]m9+ :e!r a /ay ( a c\rt's
 ord] or an int]locutory appeal "u      
section #abec ( title #bh1 ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,code1 is w>rant$4  4  #aa4 ,relief =  
violations ( vot+ rights laws  7a7 ,9   
g5]al  7#a7 ,relief = violations ( vot+ 
rights laws ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m       
prohibit$ act or practice means-- 7,a7  
any act or practice-- 7i7 t creates an  
undue burd5 on ! fundam5tal "r to vote 9
 violation ( ! #ad? ,am5dm5t to !       
,con/itution ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates or       
violates ! ,equal ,protection ,clause ( 
! #ad? ,am5dm5t to ! ,con/itution ( !   
,unit$ ,/ates2 or  7ii7 t is prohibit$  
by ! #ae?1 #ai?1 #bd?1 or #bf? ,am5dm5t 
to ! ,con/itution ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1    
section #bjjd ( ! ,revis$ ,/atutes 7#eb 
,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja71 ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act 

( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja et seq471 
! ,national ,vot] ,regi/ration ,act (   
#aiic 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjeja et seq471 ! 
,uni=m$ & ,ov]seas ,citiz5s ,abs5tee    
,vot+ ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjcja et     
seq471 ! ,help ,am]ica ,vote ,act (     
#bjjb 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjija et seq471 ! 
,vot+ ,accessibility = ! ,eld]ly &      
,h&icapp$ ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaja et 
seq471 or section #bjjc ( ! ,revis$     
,/atutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajajb72 &  7,b7
 any act or practice 9 violation ( any  
,f$]al law t prohibits discrim9ation )  
respect to vot+1 includ+ ! ,am]icans )  
,disabilities ,act ( #aiij 7#db         
,u4,s4,c4 #abaja et seq474  7#b7 ,rule (
 con/ruction ,no?+ 9 ?is section %all be
 con/ru$ to dim9i% ! au?ority or scope (
 au?ority ( any p]son to br+ an action  
"u any ,f$]al law4  7#c7 ,attorney's    
fees ,section #gbb7;b7 ( ! ,revis$      
,/atutes 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aihh7;b77 is   
am5d$ by ins]t+ a provision describ$ 9  
section #b7;a7 ( ! ,john ,r4 ,lewis     
,vot+ ,rights ,advancem5t ,act ( #bjba1 

aft] title ,,vi ( ! ,civil ,rights ,act 
( #aifd14  7b7 ,gr\nds = equitable      
relief ,9 any action = equitable relief 
pursuant to a law li/$ "u subsection    
7a71 proximity ( ! action to an election
 %all n be a valid reason to d5y su*    
relief1 or /ay ! op]ation ( or vacate ! 
issuance ( su* relief1 unless ! p>ty    
oppos+ ! issuance or cont9u$ op]ation ( 
relief meets ! burd5 ( prov+ by cle> &  
conv9c+ evid5ce t ! issuance ( ! relief 
w\ld be s close 9 "t to ! election z to 
cause irrep>able h>m to ! public int]e/ 
or t compliance ) su* relief w\ld impose
 s]i\s burd5s on ! p>ty oppos+ relief4  
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 consid]+ :e!r to grant1
 d5y1 /ay1 or vacate any ord] (         
equitable relief1 ! c\rt %all give      
sub/antial weight to ! public's int]e/ 9
 exp&+ access to ! "r to vote4 ,a       
,/ate's g5]aliz$ int]e/ 9 en=c+ its     
enact$ laws %all n be a relevant        
consid]ation 9 det]m9+ :e!r equitable   
relief is w>rant$4  7#b7 ,presumptive   
safe h>bor ,:]e equitable relief is     

s\ght ei!r )9 #cj days ( ! adoption or  
reasonable public notice ( ! *all5g$    
policy or practice1 or m ?an #de days   
be=e ! date ( an election to :i* !      
relief be+ s\ght w apply1 proximity to !
 election w be presum$ n to con/itute a 
h>m to ! public int]e/ or a burd5 on !  
p>ty oppos+ relief4  7c7 ,gr\nds = /ay  
or vacatur 9 ,f$]al claims involv+ vot+ 
rights  7#a7 ,prospective effect ,9     
review+ an application = a /ay or       
vacatur ( equitable relief grant$       
pursuant to a law li/$ 9 subsection 7a71
 a c\rt %all give sub/antial weight to !
 reliance int]e/s ( citiz5s :o act$     
pursuant to su* ord] "u review4 ,9      
fa%ion+ a /ay or vacatur1 a review+ c\rt
 %all n ord] relief t has ! effect (    
d5y+ or abridg+ ! "r to vote ( any      
citiz5 :o has act$ 9 reliance on ! ord]4
  7#b7 ,writt5 explanation ,no /ay or   
vacatur "u ?is subsection %all issue    
unless ! review+ c\rt makes specific    
f9d+s t ! public int]e/1 includ+ !      
public's int]e/ 9 exp&+ access to !     

ballot1 w be h>m$ by ! cont9u+ op]ation 
( ! equitable relief or t compliance )  
su* relief w impose s]i\s burd5s on !   
p>ty seek+ su* a /ay or vacatur su* t ^?
 burd5s sub/antially outweigh ! b5efits 
to ! public int]e/4 ,9 review+ an       
application = a /ay or vacatur (        
equitable relief1 f9d+s ( fact made 9   
issu+ ! ord] "u review %all n be set    
aside unless cle>ly errone\s4  #ab4     
,en=cem5t ( ,vot+ ,rights by ,attorney  
,g5]al ,section #ab ( ! ,vot+ ,rights   
,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjh71 z am5d$ by 
?is ,act1 is fur!r am5d$ by add+ at !   
end ! foll[+3  7g7 ,vot+ ,rights        
,en=cem5t by ,attorney ,g5]al  7#a7 ,9  
g5]al ,9 ord] to fulfill ! ,attorney    
,g5]al's responsibility to en=ce ! ,vot+
 ,rights ,act & o!r ,f$]al civil rights 
/atutes t protect ! "r to vote1 !       
,attorney ,g5]al 7or ^u designation by !
 ,attorney ,g5]al1 ! ,assi/ant ,attorney
 ,g5]al = ,civil ,rights7 is au?oriz$1  
be=e comm5c+ a civil action1 to issue a 
dem& = inspection & in=mation 9 writ+ to

 any ,/ate or political subdivision1 or 
o!r gov]nm5tal repres5tative or ag5t1 ) 
respect to any relevant docum5t>y       
mat]ial t he has reason to believe is )9
 _! possession1 cu/ody1 or control4 ,a  
dem& by ! ,attorney ,g5]al "u ?is       
section may require-- 7,a7 ! production 
( su* docum5t>y mat]ial = inspection &  
copy+2  7,b7 answ]s 9 writ+ to writt5   
que/ions ) respect to su* docum5t>y     
mat]ial2 or  7,c7 bo?4  7#b7 ,cont5ts ( 
an ,attorney ,g5]al dem&  7,a7 ,9 g5]al 
,any dem& issu$ "u p>agraph 7#a71 %all  
include a sworn c]tificate to id5tify ! 
vot+ qualification or pr]equisite to    
vot+ or /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure )   
respect to vot+1 or o!r vot+ relat$     
matt] or issue1 ^: lawfulness !         
,attorney ,g5]al is inve/igat+ & to     
id5tify ! civil provisions ( ! ,f$]al   
civil rights /atute t protects ! "r to  
vote "u :i* ! inve/igation is be+       
conduct$4 ,! dem& %all be reasonably    
calculat$ to lead to ! discov]y (       
docum5t>y mat]ial & in=mation relevant  

to su* civil rights inve/igation4       
,docum5t>y mat]ial includes any mat]ial 
^u :i* relevant in=mation is record$1 & 
includes writt5 or pr9t$ mat]ials1      
photographs1 tapes1 or mat]ials ^u :i*  
in=mation is electronically or          
magnetically record$4 ,su* dem&s are    
aim$ at ! ,attorney ,g5]al hav+ !       
ability to inspect & obta9 copies (     
relevant mat]ials 7z well z obta9       
in=mation7 relat$ to vot+ & are n aim$  
at ! ,attorney ,g5]al tak+ possession ( 
orig9al records1 p>ticul>ly ^? t are    
requir$ to be reta9$ by ,/ate & local   
election (ficials "u ,f$]al or ,/ate    
law4  7,b7 ,no requirem5t = production  
,any dem& issu$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 may n  
require ! production ( any docum5t>y    
mat]ial or ! submission ( any answ]s 9  
writ+ to writt5 que/ions if su* mat]ial 
or answ]s w\ld be protect$ f disclosure 
"u ! /&>ds applicable to discov]y       
reque/s "u ! ,f$]al ,rules ( ,civil     
,proc$ure 9 an action 9 :i* ! ,attorney 
,g5]al or ! ,unit$ ,/ates is a p>ty4    

7,c7 ,docum5t>y mat]ial ,if ! dem& issu$
 "u p>agraph 7#a7 requires ! production 
( docum5t>y mat]ial1 x %all-- 7i7       
id5tify ! class ( docum5t>y mat]ial to  
be produc$ ) su* def9it5ess & c]ta9ty z 
to p]mit su* mat]ial to be fairly       
id5tifi$2 &  7ii7 prescribe a return    
date = production ( ! docum5t>y mat]ial 
at lea/ tw5ty days aft] issuance ( !    
dem& to give ! ,/ate or political       
subdivision1 or o!r gov]nm5tal          
repres5tative or ag5t1 a reasonable     
p]iod ( "t = assembl+ ! docum5t>y       
mat]ial & mak+ x available = inspection 
& copy+4  7,d7 ,answ]s to writt5        
que/ions ,if ! dem& issu$ "u p>agraph   
7#a7 requires answ]s 9 writ+ to writt5  
que/ions1 x %all-- 7i7 set =? )         
specificity ! writt5 "q to be answ]$2 & 
7ii7 prescribe a date at lea/ tw5ty days
 aft] ! issuance ( ! dem& = submitt+    
answ]s 9 writ+ to ! writt5 que/ions4    
7,e7 ,s]vice ,a dem& issu$ "u p>agraph  
7#a7 may be s]v$ by a ,unit$ ,/ates     
m>%al or a deputy m>%al1 or by c]tifi$  

mail1 at any place )9 ! t]ritorial      
jurisdiction ( any c\rt ( ! ,unit$      
,/ates4  7#c7 ,responses to an ,attorney
 ,g5]al dem& ,a ,/ate or political      
subdivision1 or o!r gov]nm5tal          
repres5tative or ag5t1 mu/1 ) respect to
 any docum5t>y mat]ial or any answ] 9   
writ+ produc$ "u ?is subsection1 provide
 a sworn c]tificate1 9 su* =m z ! dem&  
issu$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 designates1 by a 
p]son hav+ k ( ! facts & circum/ances   
relat+ to su* production or writt5      
answ]1 au?oriz$ to act on behalf ( !    
,/ate or political subdivision1 or o!r  
gov]nm5tal repres5tative or ag5t1 ^u :i*
 ! dem& 0 s]v$4 ,! c]tificate-- 7,a7    
%all /ate t-- 7i7 all ( ! docum5t>y     
mat]ial requir$ by ! dem& & 9 !         
possession1 cu/ody1 or control ( ! ,/ate
 or political subdivision1 or o!r       
gov]nm5tal repres5tative or ag5t1 has   
be5 produc$2  7ii7 t ) respect to e     
answ] 9 writ+ to a writt5 "q1 all       
in=mation requir$ by ! "q & 9 !         
possession1 cu/ody1 control1 or k ( !   

,/ate or political subdivision1 or o!r  
gov]nm5tal repres5tative or ag5t1 has   
be5 submitt$2 or  7iii7 bo?2 or  7,b7   
provide ! basis = any objection to      
produc+ ! docum5t>y mat]ial or answ]+ ! 
writt5 "q4  ,to ! ext5t t any in=mation 
is n furni%$1 ! in=mation %all be       
id5tifi$ & reasons set =? ) p>ticul>ity 
reg>d+ ! reasons :y ! in=mation 0 n     
furni%$4  7#d7 ,judicial proce$+s  7,a7 
,petition = en=cem5t ,:5ev] any ,/ate or
 political subdivision1 or o!r          
gov]nm5tal repres5tative or ag5t1 fails 
to comply ) dem& issu$ by ! ,attorney   
,g5]al "u p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,attorney    
,g5]al may file1 9 a di/rict c\rt ( !   
,unit$ ,/ates 9 :i* ! ,/ate or political
 subdivision1 or o!r gov]nm5tal         
repres5tative or ag5t1 is locat$1 a     
petition = a judicial ord] en=c+ !      
,attorney ,g5]al dem& issu$ "u p>agraph 
7#a74  7,b7 ,petition to modify  7i7 ,9 
g5]al ,any ,/ate or political           
subdivision1 or o!r gov]nm5tal          
repres5tative or ag5t1 t is s]v$ ) a    

dem& issu$ by ! ,attorney ,g5]al "u     
p>agraph 7#a7 may file 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,di/rict ,c\rt = ! ,di/rict ( ,columbia
 a petition = an ord] ( ! c\rt to modify
 or set aside ! dem& ( ! ,attorney      
,g5]al4  7ii7 ,petition to modify ,any  
petition to modify or set aside a dem& (
 ! ,attorney ,g5]al issu$ "u p>agraph   
7#a7 mu/ be fil$ )9 #bj days aft] ! date
 ( s]vice ( ! ,attorney ,g5]al's dem& or
 at any "t be=e ! return date specifi$ 9
 ! ,attorney ,g5]al's dem&1 :i*ev] date 
is e>li]4  7iii7 ,cont5ts ( petition ,! 
petition %all specify ea* gr\nd ^u :i* !
 petition] relies 9 seek+ relief "u     
clause 7i71 & may be bas$ ^u any failure
 ( ! ,attorney ,g5]al's dem& to comply )
 ! provisions ( ?is section or ^u any   
con/itutional or o!r legal "r or        
privilege ( ! ,/ate or political        
subdivision1 or o!r gov]nm5tal          
repres5tative or ag5t4 ,dur+ ! p5d5cy ( 
! petition 9 ! c\rt1 ! c\rt may /ay1 z x
 deems prop]1 ! runn+ ( ! "t all[$ =    
compliance ) ! ,attorney ,g5]al's dem&1 

9 :ole or 9 "p1 except t ! ,/ate or     
political subdivision1 or o!r gov]nm5tal
 repres5tative or ag5t1 fil+ ! petition 
%all comply ) any portions ( ! ,attorney
 ,g5]al's dem& n s\ght to be modifi$ or 
set aside4  4  #ac4 ,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 ,! t]m ,indian has ! 
mean+ giv5 ! t]m 9 section #d ( !       
,indian ,self-,det]m9ation & ,education 
,assi/ance ,act4  7#b7 ,indian l&s ,!   
t]m ,indian l&s means-- 7,a7 any ,indian
 c\ntry ( an ,indian tribe1 z su* t]m is
 def9$ 9 section #aaea ( title #ah1     
,unit$ ,/ates ,code2  7,b7 any l& 9     
,alaska t is own$1 pursuant to ! ,alaska
 ,native ,claims ,settlem5t ,act1 by an 
,indian tribe t is a ,native village 7z 
su* t]m is def9$ 9 section #c ( su*     
,act71 or by a ,village ,corporation t  
is associat$ ) ! ,indian tribe 7z su*   
t]m is def9$ 9 section #c ( su* ,act72  
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#c7 ,indian tribe ,!  
t]m ,indian tribe or tribe has ! mean+  
giv5 ! t]m ,indian tribe 9 section #d ( 
! ,indian ,self-,det]m9ation &          
,education ,assi/ance ,act4  7#d7       
,tribal ,gov]nm5t ,! t]m ,tribal        
,gov]nm5t means ! recogniz$ gov]n+ body 
( an ,indian ,tribe4  7#e7 ,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  #ad4 ,attorneys'    
fees ,section #ad7;c7 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights 
,act ( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcaj7;c77 

is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3     
7#d7 ,! t]m prevail+ p>ty means a p>ty  
to an action t receives at lea/ "s ( !  
b5efit s\ght by su* action1 /ates a     
colorable claim1 & c e/abli% t ! action 
0 a significant cause ( a *ange to !    
/atus quo4  4  #ae4 ,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 #bjba2 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 #bjba4  4  #af4     
,sev]ability ,if any provision ( ?is    
,act or any am5dm5t made by ?is ,act1 or
 ! application ( su* a provision or     

am5dm5t to any p]son or circum/ance1 is 
held to be uncon/itutional or is o!rwise
 enjo9$ or un5=ceable1 ! rema9d] ( ?is  
,act & am5dm5ts made by ?is ,act1 & !   
application ( ! provisions & am5dm5t to 
any p]son or circum/ance1 & any rema9+  
provision ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act (      
#aife1 %all n be affect$ by ! hold+4    
#ag4 ,grants to assi/ ) notice          
requirem5ts "u ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act (   
#aife  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,attorney ,g5]al 
%all make grants ea* fiscal ye> to small
 jurisdictions :o submit applications "u
 subsection 7b7 = purposes ( assi/+ su* 
small jurisdictions ) compliance ) !    
requirem5ts ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act (    
#aife to submit or publi% notice ( any  
*ange to a qualification1 pr]equisite1  
/&>d1 practice or proc$ure affect+ vot+4
  7b7 ,application ,to be eligible = a  
grant "u ?is section1 a small           
jurisdiction %all submit an application 
to ! ,attorney ,g5]al 9 su* =m & conta9+
 su* in=mation z ! ,attorney ,g5]al may 
require reg>d+ ! compliance ( su* small 

jurisdiction ) ! provisions ( ! ,vot+   
,rights ,act ( #aife4  7c7 ,small       
jurisdiction def9$ ,= purposes ( ?is    
section1 ! t]m small jurisdiction means 
any political subdivision ( a ,/ate ) a 
population ( #aj1jjj or less4