,,ii  #aai? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #bebc  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,july #bi1 #bjbe,mr4   
,durb9 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,w>nock1 ,mr4   
,blum5?al1 ,mr4 ,s*um]1 ,mr4 ,book]1    
,mrs4 ,%ahe51 ,mr4 ,:iteh\se1 ,mr4      
,m>key1 ,mr4 ,hick5loop]1 ,ms4 ,ros51   
,mr4 ,fett]man1 ,mr4 ,padilla1 ,mr4 ,van
 ,holl51 ,mr4 ,b5net1 ,mr4 ,s*iff1 ,mr4 
,s&]s1 ,mr4 ,he9ri*1 ,mr4 ,re$1 ,mr4    
,kim1 ,mr4 ,wel*1 ,mr4 ,wyd51 ,mr4      
,coons1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 ,mrs4 ,gillibr&1  
,ms4 ,w>r51 ,ms4 ,baldw91 ,ms4 ,hassan1 
,mr4 ,gallego1 ,ms4 ,cortez ,ma/o1 ,mr4 
,ka9e1 ,ms4 ,slotk91 ,mr4 ,w>n]1 ,mrs4  
,murray1 ,mr4 ,oss(f1 ,mr4 ,kelly1 ,ms4 
,blunt ,ro*e/]1 ,ms4 ,cantwell1 ,ms4    
,klobu*>1 ,mr4 ,pet]s1 ,mr4 ,murphy1    
,mr4 ,lujn1 ,ms4 ,smi?1 ,mr4 ,k+1 ,mr4  
,m]kley1 ,ms4 ,duckwor?1 ,mr4 ,s*atz1 & 
,ms4 ,alsobrooks7 introduc$ ! 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 ,r4 ,lewis ,vot+ ,rights        
,advancem5t ,act ( #bjbe4  ,i ,am5dm5ts 
to ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act  #aja4 ,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 #b ( su* ,act 7#eb    
,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja71 z am5d$ by subsection
 7a71 is fur!r am5d$ by /rik+ subsection
 7b7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3  7b7 ,a         
violation ( subsection 7a7 = vote       
dilution is e/abli%$ if1 bas$ on !      
totality ( circum/ances1 x is %[n t !   
political processes lead+ to nom9ation  
or election 9 ! ,/ate or political      
subdivision are n equally op5 to        

p>ticipation by memb]s ( a class (      
citiz5s protect$ by subsection 7a7 9 t  
its memb]s h less opportunity ?an o!r   
memb]s ( ! electorate to p>ticipate 9 ! 
political process & to elect            
repres5tatives ( _! *oice4 ,! ext5t to  
:i* memb]s ( a protect$ class h be5     
elect$ to (fice 9 ! ,/ate or political  
subdivision is "o circum/ance :i* may be
 consid]$3 ,provid$1 ,t no?+ 9 ?is      
section e/abli%es a "r to h memb]s ( a  
protect$ class elect$ 9 numb]s equal to 
_! proportion 9 ! population4 ,! legal  
/&>d articulat$ 9 ,?ornburg v4 ,g+les1  
#dgh ,u4,s4 #cj 7#aihf71 gov]ns claims  
"u ?is subsection4 ,= purposes ( ?is    
subsection a class ( citiz5s protect$ by
 subsection 7a7 may include a cohesive  
coalition ( memb]s ( diff]5t racial or  
language m9ority gr\ps4  4  7c7 ,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 = vote d5ial 

or abridgm5t is e/abli%$ if ! *all5g$   
/&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure imposes a   
discrim9atory burd5 on memb]s ( a class 
( citiz5s protect$ by subsection 7a71   
mean+ t-- 7,a7 memb]s ( ! protect$ class
 face great] difficulty 9 comply+ ) !   
/&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure1 consid]+ ! 
totality ( ! circum/ances2 &  7,b7 su*  
great] difficulty is1 at lea/ 9 "p1     
caus$ by or l9k$ to social & hi/orical  
conditions t h produc$ or curr5tly      
produce discrim9ation aga9/ memb]s ( !  
protect$ class4  7#b7 ,! *all5g$ /&>d1  
practice1 or proc$ure ne$ only be a b-= 
cause ( ! discrim9atory burd5 or        
p]petuate a pre-exi/+ discrim9atory     
burd54  7#c7 7,a7 ,! totality ( !       
circum/ances = consid]ation relative to 
a violation ( subsection 7a7 = vote     
d5ial or abridgm5t %all include ! foll[+
 factors1 :i*1 individually &           
collectively1 %[ h[ a vot+ /&>d1        
practice1 or proc$ure c function to     
amplify ! effects ( pa/ or pres5t racial
 discrim9ation3 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$4  7iii7 ,! ext5t to :i* ! ,/ate 
or political subdivision has us$ unduly 
burd5some photographic vot]             
id5tification requirem5ts1 docum5t>y    
pro( ( citiz5%ip requirem5ts1 docum5t>y 
pro( ( resid5ce requirem5ts1 or o!r vot+
 /&>ds1 practices1 or proc$ures beyond  
^? requir$ by ,f$]al law t may impair ! 
ability ( memb]s ( ! protect$ class to  
p>ticipate fully 9 ! political process4 
7iv7 ,! ext5t to :i* memb]s ( ! protect$
 class be> ! effects ( discrim9ation 9  
areas su* z education1 employm5t1 &     
heal?1 :i* h9d] ! ability ( ^? memb]s 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$ /&>d1 practice1 or
 proc$ure4  7vi7 ,! ext5t to :i* memb]s 
( ! protect$ class h be5 elect$ to      

public (fice 9 ! jurisdiction1 except t 
! fact t ! protect$ class is too small  
to elect c&idates ( its *oice %all n    
defeat a claim ( vote d5ial or abridgm5t
 "u ?is section4  7vii7 ,:e!r !re is a  
lack ( responsiv5ess on ! "p ( elect$   
(ficials to ! p>ticul>iz$ ne$s ( memb]s 
( ! protect$ class4  7viii7 ,:e!r !     
policy und]ly+ ! ,/ate or political     
subdivision's use ( ! *all5g$           
qualification1 pr]equisite1 /&>d1       
practice1 or proc$ure has a t5u\s       
connection to t qualification1          
pr]equisite1 /&>d1 practice1 or         
proc$ure4  7,b7 ,a p>ticul> comb9ation  
or numb] ( factors "u subp>agraph 7,a7  
%all n be requir$ to e/abli% a violation
 ( subsection 7a7 = vote d5ial or       
abridgm5t4  7,c7 ,! totality ( !        
circum/ances = consid]ation relative to 
a violation ( subsection 7a7 = vote     
d5ial or abridgm5t %all n include !     
foll[+ factors3 7i7 ,! total numb] or   
%>e ( memb]s ( a protect$ class on :om a
 *all5g$ /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure    

does n impose a mat]ial burd54  7ii7 ,! 
degree to :i* ! *all5g$ /&>d1 practice1 
or proc$ure has a long p$igree or 0 9   
widespread use at "s e>li] date4  7iii7 
,! use ( an id5tical or simil> /&>d1    
practice1 or proc$ure 9 o!r ,/ates or   
political subdivisions4  7iv7 ,!        
availability ( o!r =ms ( vot+ unimpact$ 
by ! *all5g$ /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure
 to all memb]s ( ! electorate1 includ+  
memb]s ( ! protect$ class1 unless !     
,/ate or political subdivision is       
simultane\sly exp&+ ^? o!r /&>ds1       
practices1 or proc$ures to elim9ate any 
disproportionate burd5 impos$ by !      
*all5g$ /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure4    
7v7 ,a prophylactic impact on pot5tial  
crim9al activity by individual vot]s1 if
 su* crimes h n occurr$ 9 ! ,/ate or    
political subdivision 9 sub/antial      
numb]s4  7vi7 ,m]e invocation ( int]e/s 
9 vot] confid5ce or prev5tion ( fraud4  
4  7d7 ,int5d$ vote dilution or vote    
d5ial or abridgm5t ,section #b ( su*    
,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja71 z am5d$ by 

subsections 7a71 7b71 & 7c7 is fur!r    
am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7d7   
7#a7 ,a violation ( subsection 7a7 is   
also e/abli%$ if a *all5g$              
qualification1 pr]equisite1 /&>d1       
practice1 or proc$ure is int5d$1 at lea/
 9 "p1 to dilute ! vot+ /r5g? ( a       
protect$ class 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 ( race or color1 or 9        
contrav5tion ( ! gu>antees set =? 9     
section #d7;f77#b71 ne$ only be "o      
purpose ( a qualification1 pr]equisite1 
/&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure 9 ord] to   
e/abli% a violation ( subsection 7a71 z 
describ$ 9 ?is subsection4 ,a           
qualification1 pr]equisite1 /&>d1       
practice1 or proc$ure int5d$ to dilute !
 vot+ /r5g? ( a protect$ class or to    
make x m difficult = memb]s ( a protect$
 class to ca/ a ballot t w be c\nt$     
con/itutes a violation ( subsection 7a71

 z describ$ 9 ?is subsection1 ev5 if an 
additional purpose ( ! qualification1   
pr]equisite1 /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure
 is to b5efit a p>ticul> political p>ty 
or gr\p4  7#c7 ,rec5t context1 includ+  
actions by (ficial decisionmak]s 9 prior
 ye>s or 9 o!r contexts prec$+ !        
decision responsible = ! *all5g$        
qualification1 pr]equisite1 /&>d1       
practice1 or proc$ure1 & includ+ actions
 by pr$ecessor gov]nm5t actors or       
individual memb]s ( a decisionmak+ body1
 may be relevant to mak+ a det]m9ation  
ab\t a violation ( subsection 7a71 z    
describ$ "u ?is subsection4  7#d7 ,a    
claim t a violation ( subsection 7a7 has
 occurr$1 z describ$ "u ?is subsection1 
%all require pro( ( a discrim9atory     
impact b %all n require pro( ( violation
 ( subsection 7b7 or 7c74  4  #ajb4     
,retrogression ,section #b ( ! ,vot+    
,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4     
#ajcja et seq471 z am5d$ by section #aja
 ( ?is ,act1 is fur!r am5d$ by add+ at !
 end ! foll[+3  7e7 ,a violation (      

subsection 7a7 is e/abli%$ :5 a ,/ate or
 political subdivision enacts or seeks  
to adm9i/] any qualification or         
pr]equisite to vot+ or /&>d1 practice1  
or proc$ure ) respect to vot+ 9 any     
election t has ! purpose ( or w h !     
effect ( dim9i%+ ! ability ( any citiz5s
 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates on acc\nt ( race or  
color1 or 9 contrav5tion ( ! gu>antees  
set =? 9 section #d7;f77#b71 to         
p>ticipate 9 ! electoral process or     
elect _! pref]r$ c&idates ( *oice4 ,?is 
subsection applies to any action tak5 on
 or aft] ,janu>y #a1 #bjba1 by a ,/ate  
or political subdivision to enact or    
seek to adm9i/] any su* qualification or
 pr]equisite to vot+ or /&>d1 practice  
or proc$ure4  7f7 ,not)/&+ ! provisions 
( subsection 7e71 f9al decisions ( !    
,unit$ ,/ates ,di/rict ,c\rt ( !        
,di/rict ( ,columbia on applications or 
petitions by ,/ates or political        
subdivisions = precle>ance "u section #e
 ( any *anges 9 vot+ pr]equisites1      
/&>ds1 practices1 or proc$ures1 sup]s$e 

! provisions ( subsection 7e74  4  #ajc4
 ,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  #ajd4 ,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 or
  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 ! ,/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 ?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 & all political      
subdivisions 9 ! ,/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 judgm5t
 7t 0 n rev]s$ on appeal7 occurr$1 9 :i*
 ! pla9tiff prevail$ & 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? ,am5dm5t to !            
,con/itution ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 any:]e  
)9 ! ,/ate or subdivision4  7,b7        
,judicial relief2 violations ( ?is ,act 
,any f9al judgm5t 7t 0 n rev]s$ on      
appeal7 occurr$ 9 :i* ! pla9tiff        
prevail$ & 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  
7e7 or 7f7 or section #b1 #bja1 or #bjc4
  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 "u ?is        
subp>agraph 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
 subp>agraph 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 c\nt z an indep5d5t violation ( 
?is ,act4  7,e7 ,cons5t decree1         
settlem5t1 or o!r agreem5t  7i7         
,agreem5t  ,a cons5t decree1 settlem5t1 
or o!r agreem5t 0 adopt$ or ent]$ by a  
c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates t conta9s an     
admission ( liability by ! def5dants1   
:i* result$ 9 ! alt]ation or ab&onm5t ( 
a vot+ practice any:]e 9 ! t]ritory (   
su* ,/ate or subdivision 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 7f7 or    
section #b1 #bja1 or #bjc1 or ! #ad? or 
#ae? ,am5dm5t4  7ii7 ,indep5d5t         
violations ,a volunt>y ext5sion or      
cont9uation ( a cons5t decree1          
settlem5t1 or agreem5t describ$ 9 clause
 7i7 %all n c\nt z an indep5d5t         
violation "u ?is subp>agraph4 ,any o!r  
ext5sion or modification ( su* a cons5t 
decree1 settlem5t1 or agreem5t1 if !    
cons5t decree1 settlem5t1 or agreem5t   

has be5 9 place = t5 ye>s or long]1 %all
 c\nt z an indep5d5t violation "u ?is   
subp>agraph4 ,if a c\rt ( ! ,unit$      
,/ates f9ds t a cons5t decree1          
settlem5t1 or agreem5t describ$ 9 clause
 7i7 itself 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 7e7 or 7f7 or section #b1    
#bja1 or #bjc1 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 violation "u ?is subp>agraph4 
7,f7 ,multiple violations ,ea* in/ance 9
 :i* a vot+ qualification or pr]equisite
 to vot+ or /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure 
) respect to vot+1 includ+ ea* r$i/rict+
 plan1 is f\nd to be a violation by a   
c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates pursuant to      
subp>agraph 7,a7 or 7,b71 or prev5t$ f  
be+ en=c$ pursuant to subp>agraph 7,c7  

or 7,d71 or alt]$ or ab&on$ pursuant to 
subp>agraph 7,e7 %all c\nt z an         
indep5d5t violation "u ?is p>agraph4 ,)9
 a r$i/rict+ plan1 ea* violation "u ?is 
p>agraph f\nd to discrim9ate aga9/ any  
gr\p ( vot]s bas$ on race1 color1 or    
language m9ority gr\p %all c\nt z an    
indep5d5t violation "u ?is p>agraph4    
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#a71 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$esignat+ p>agraph 7#i7 z p>agraph     
7#g74  7b7 ,cl>ification ( ,treatm5t (  
,memb]s ( ,language ,m9ority ,gr\ps     
,section #d7;a77#a7 ( su* ,act 7#eb     
,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjc7;a77#a771 z am5d$ by   
subsection 7a71 is fur!r am5d$1 9 ! fir/
 s5t5ce1 by /rik+ race or color1 &      
ins]t+ race or color1 or 9 contrav5tion 
( ! gu>antees ( subsection 7f77#b714    
7c7 ,facilitat+ bail\t ,section #d7;a7 (
 ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb      
,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjc7;a771 z am5d$ by       
subsection 7a71 is fur!r am5d$-- 7#a7 by
 /rik+ p>agraph 7#a77;,c7 & r$esignat+  
subp>agraphs 7,d7 ?r\gh 7,f7 z          

subp>agraphs 7,c7 ?r\gh 7,e71           
respectively2  7#b7 by ins]t+ at !      
beg9n+ ( p>agraph 7#g71 z r$esignat$ by 
subsection 7a77#b77;,h71 ! foll[+3 ,any 
pla9tiff seek+ a decl>atory judgm5t "u  
?is subsection on ! gr\nds t ! pla9tiff 
meets ! requirem5ts ( p>agraph 7#a7 may 
reque/ t ! ,attorney ,g5]al cons5t to   
entry ( judgm5t42 &  7#c7 by add+ at !  
end ! foll[+3  7#h7 ,if a political     
subdivision is subject to ! application 
( ?is subsection1 due to ! applicability
 ( subsection 7b77#a77;,a71 ! political 
subdivision may seek a decl>atory       
judgm5t "u ?is section if ! subdivision 
demon/rates t ! subdivision meets !     
crit]ia e/abli%$ by ! subp>agraphs (    
p>agraph 7#a71 = ! #aj ye>s prec$+ !    
date on :i* subsection 7a7 appli$ to !  
political subdivision "u subsection     
7b77#a77;,a74  7#i7 ,if a political     
subdivision 0 n subject to ! application
 ( ?is subsection by reason ( a         
decl>atory judgm5t ent]$ prior to ! date
 ( enactm5t ( ! ,john ,r4 ,lewis ,vot+  

,rights ,advancem5t ,act ( #bjbe1 & is  
n1 subsequ5t to t date ( enactm5t1      
subject to ! application ( ?is          
subsection "u subsection 7b77#a77;,b71  
!n t political subdivision %all n be    
subject to ! requirem5ts ( ?is          
subsection4  4  #aje4 ,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$]al ,regi/] ,a      
det]m9ation 7includ+ a c]tification7 ( !
 ,attorney ,g5]al "u ?is p>agraph %all  
be effective ^u publication 9 ! ,f$]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$ures ) respect to    
vot+1 newly adopt$ 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 ( ! vot+-age    
population 9 ! ,/ate or political       
subdivision1 respectively2 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 !   
,/ate or 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 ( ! vot+-age population 9 ! ,/ate or  
political subdivision1 respectively2 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 ! ,/ate or political          
subdivision4  7#b7 ,*anges to political 
subdivision b\nd>ies ,any *ange or s]ies
 ( *anges )9 a ye> to ! b\nd>ies ( a    
political subdivision t r$uces by #c or 
m p]c5tage po9ts ! p]c5tage ( !         
political subdivision's vot+-age        
population t is compris$ ( memb]s ( a   
s+le racial gr\p or language m9ority    
gr\p 9 ! 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$i/rict+ ,any *ange to ! b\nd>ies (    
di/ricts = ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 or local      

elections 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 9 elections = ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 or    
local (fices t w exce$ or be m /r+5t ?an
 su* requirem5ts "u ,/ate law on ! day  
be=e ! date ( enactm5t ( ! ,john ,r4    
,lewis ,vot+ ,rights ,advancem5t ,act ( 
#bjbe4  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$uces1 consolidates1 or relocates    
vot+ locations 9 elections = ,f$]al1    
,/ate1 or local (fice1 includ+ e>ly1    
abs5tee1 & election-day vot+ locations1 
or r$uces days or h\rs ( 9-p]son vot+ on
 any ,sunday dur+ a p]iod occurr+ prior 
to ! date ( an election = ,f$]al1 ,/ate1
 or local (fice 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 = 
,f$]al1 ,/ate1 or local (fice1 except   
:]e ! provision w\ld violate            
prohibitions on exp5ditures to influ5ce 
vot+1 if ! location *ange1 r$uction 9   
days or h\rs1 or prohibition applies--  
7,a7 9 "o or m c5sus tracts 9 :i* two or
 m language m9ority gr\ps or racial     
gr\ps ea* repres5t #bj p]c5t or m ( !   
vot+-age population2 or  7,b7 on ,indian
 l&s 9 :i* 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 process = vot] regi/ration    
li/s t adds a new basis = removal f !   
li/ ( active vot]s regi/]$ to vote 9    
elections = ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 or local     
(fice1 or t incorporates new s\rces (   
in=mation 9 det]m9+ a vot]'s eligibility
 to vote 9 elections = ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 or
 local (fice1 if su* a *ange w\ld h a   
/ati/ically significant disp>ate impact1
 conc]n+ ! removal f vot] rolls1 on     
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 subdivision individually4  7c7
 ,precle>ance  7#a7 ,9 g5]al  7,a7      
,action ,: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 
7,b7 ,submission to attorney g5]al  7i7 

,9 g5]al ,not)/&+ subp>agraph 7,a71 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 ,= purposes (    
det]m9+ :e!r exp$it$ consid]ation (     
approval is requir$ "u ?is subp>agraph  
or section #e7;a71 an exig5cy su* z a   
natural disa/]1 t requires a *ange 9 a  
vot+ qualification or pr]equisite to    
vot+ or /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure )   
respect to vot+ dur+ ! p]iod ( #cj days 
be=e a ,f$]al election1 %all be consid]$
 to be good cause requir+ t exp$it$     
consid]ation4  7ii7 ,effect ( indication
 ,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 subsection %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 subsection4  7,c7   
,c\rt ,any action "u ?is subsection %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#a74     
7#c7 ,purpose def9$ ,! t]m purpose 9    
p>agraphs 7#a7 & 7#b7 %all include any  
discrim9atory purpose4  7#d7 ,purpose ( 
p>agraph 7#b7 ,! purpose ( p>agraph 7#b7
 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 
di/rict c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates to compel
 any ,/ate or political subdivision to  
satisfy ! obligations set =? 9 ?is      
section4 ,su* an action %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$y t implem5tation ( any 
vot+ qualification or pr]equisite to    
vot+1 or /&>d1 practice1 or proc$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 ( !       
,dep>tm5t ( ,ju/ice entitl$ ,guidance   
,conc]n+ ,r$i/rict+ ,"u ,section #e ( ! 
,vot+ ,rights ,act2 ,notice 7#gf ,f$4   
,reg4 #gdgj 7,febru>y #i1 #bjaa774  7f7 
,special rule ,= purposes ( det]m9ations
 "u ?is section1 any data provid$ by !  
,bureau ( ! ,c5sus1 :e!r bas$ on        
e/imation f a 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  #ajf4 ,promot+      
transp>5cy to en=ce ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act
  7a7 ,transp>5cy ,! ,vot+ ,rights ,act 
( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja et seq47  
is am5d$ by ins]t+ aft] section #e !    
foll[+3  #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$ure & ! qualification1 pr]equisite1
 /&>d1 practice1 or proc$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 ,! 
numb] ( regi/]$ vot]s1 brok5 d[n by     
demographic gr\p if su* breakd[n is     

reasonably available to ! ,/ate or      
political subdivision involv$4  7,c7 7i7
 ,if ! *ange applies to a ,/ate1 !      
actual numb] ( votes1 or 7if x is n     
reasonably practicable = ! ,/ate to     
asc]ta9 ! actual numb] ( votes7 !       
e/imat$ 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 ! e/imat$ numb] ( 
votes 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 ( #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  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  #ajg4 ,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    
7a71 9 ! flu% matt] at ! end1 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]al2 & 
7,c7 9 subsection 7c71 by add+ at ! end 
! foll[+3 ,! ,director ( ! ,(fice (     
,p]sonnel ,managem5t may1 ) ! cons5t ( !
 ,attorney ,g5]al1 assi/ 9 ! selection1 
recruitm5t1 hir+1 tra9+1 or deploym5t ( 
^! or o!r individuals au?oriz$ by !     
,attorney ,g5]al = ! purpose ( obs]v+   
:e!r p]sons :o are entitl$ to vote are  
be+ p]mitt$ to vote & :e!r ^? votes are 
be+ prop]ly tabulat$44  7#c7 ,t]m9ation 
( c]ta9 appo9tm5ts ( obs]v]s ,section   
#ac7;a77#a7 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act (    
#aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcji7;a77#a77 is 
am5d$ by /rik+ notifies ! ,director ( ! 
,(fice ( ,p]sonnel ,managem5t1 & ins]t+ 
det]m9es14  #ajh4 ,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* actions1 &     
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$ to read z foll[s3  
7d7  7#a7 ,:5ev] !re are reasonable     
gr\nds to believe t any p]son has engag$
 91 or is ab\t to engage 91 any act or  
practice t w\ld 7#a7 d5y any citiz5 ! "r
 to regi/]1 to ca/ a ballot1 or to h t  
ballot c\nt$ prop]ly & includ$ 9 !      
appropriate totals ( votes ca/ 9        
violation ( ! #ad?1 #ae?1 #ai?1 #bd?1 or
 #bf? ,am5dm5ts to ! ,con/itution ( !   
,unit$ ,/ates1 7#b7 violate subsection  
7a7 or 7b7 ( section #aa1 or 7#c7       
violate any o!r provision ( ?is ,act or 
any o!r ,f$]al vot+ rights law t        
prohibits discrim9ation on ! basis (    
race1 color1 or memb]%ip 9 a language   
m9ority gr\p1 an aggriev$ p]son or 79 ! 
"n ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates7 ! ,attorney ,g5]al
 may in/itute an action = prev5tive     
relief1 includ+ an application = a      
tempor>y or p]man5t injunction1 re/ra9+ 
ord]1 or o!r appropriate ord]4 ,no?+ 9  

?is subsection %all be con/ru$ to create
 a cause ( action = civil en=cem5t (    
crim9al provisions ( ?is or any o!r     
,act4  4  7c7 ,judicial relief ,section 
#bjd ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb
 ,u4,s4,c4 #ajejd7 is am5d$ by /rik+ !  
fir/ s5t5ce & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 ,: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 ( ?is
 title1 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 appropriate44  7d7    
,en=cem5t ( tw5ty-,six? am5dm5t ,section
 #cja7;a77#a7 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act (  
#aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgja7;a77#a77 is 
am5d$ to read z foll[s3  7a7  7#a7 ,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 ! #bf?   
,am5dm5t to ! ,con/itution ( ! ,unit$   
,/ates4  4  #aji4 ,prev5tive relief     
,section #ab7;d7 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act 
( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjh7;d771 z   
am5d$ by section #ajh1 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 s]i\s "q z to :e!r !       
*all5g$ vot+ qualification or           
pr]equisite to vot+ or /&>d1 practice1  
or proc$ure violates any ( ! provisions 
li/$ 9 section #aaa7;a77#a7 ( ! ,john   
,r4 ,lewis ,vot+ ,rights ,advancem5t    
,act ( #bjbe &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? ,am5dm5t to ! ,con/itution
 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2  7,,ii7 a violation 
( ! #ai?1 #bd?1 or #bf? ,am5dm5ts to !  
,con/itution ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2  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? ,am5dm5t to ! ,con/itution 

( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2  7,,ii7 a violation (
 ! #ai?1 #bd?1 or #bf? ,am5dm5t to !    
,con/itution ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2  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$4  4  #aaj4 ,bil+ual  
election requirem5ts ,section           
#bjc7;b77#a7 ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act (   
#aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajejc7;b77#a77 is 
am5d$ by /rik+ #bjcb & ins]t+ #bjcg4    
#aaa4 ,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 #aaa7;a77#a7 ( ! ,john ,r4      
,lewis ,vot+ ,rights ,advancem5t ,act ( 
#bjbe1 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  #aab4    
,protection ( tabulat$ votes ,! ,vot+   
,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4     
#ajcjg7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 section #aa-- 
7,a7 by am5d+ subsection 7a7 to read z  
foll[s3  7a7 ,no p]son act+ "u color (  
law %all-- 7#a7 fail or refuse to p]mit 
any p]son to vote :o is entitl$ to vote 
"u ,f$]al law or is o!rwise qualifi$ to 
vote2  7#b7 willfully fail or refuse to 
tabulate1 c\nt1 & report su* p]son's    
vote2 or  7#c7 willfully fail or refuse 
to c]tify ! aggregate tabulations ( su* 
p]sons' votes or c]tify ! election ( !  
c&idates receiv+ suffici5t su* votes to 
be elect$ to (fice4  2 &  7,b7 9        
subsection 7b71 by ins]t+ subsection 7a7
 or aft] duties "u2 &  7#b7 9 section   

#ab-- 7,a7 9 subsection 7b7-- 7i7 by    
/rik+ a ye> foll[+ an election 9 a      
political subdivision 9 :i* an obs]v]   
has be5 assign$ & ins]t+ #bb mon?s      
foll[+ an election = ,f$]al (fice2 &    
7ii7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 ,:5ev] !
 ,attorney ,g5]al has reasonable gr\nds 
to believe t any p]son has engag$ 9 or  
is ab\t to engage 9 an act 9 violation (
 ?is subsection1 ! ,attorney ,g5]al may 
in/itute 79 ! "n ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates7 a   
civil action 9 ,f$]al di/rict c\rt seek+
 appropriate relief42  7,b7 9 subsection
 7c71 by ins]t+ or solicits a violation 
( aft] conspires to violate2 &  7,c7 9  
subsection 7e71 by /rik+ ! fir/ & second
 s5t5ces & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 ,if1 aft] ! 
clos+ ( ! polls 9 an election = ,f$]al  
(fice1 p]sons allege t not)/&+ 7#a7 _!  
regi/ration by an appropriate election  
(ficial & 7#b7 _! eligibility to vote 9 
! political subdivision1 _! ballots h n 
be5 c\nt$ 9 su* election1 & if ^u prompt
 receipt ( notifications ( ^!           
allegations1 ! ,attorney ,g5]al f9ds su*

 allegations to be well f\nd$1 !        
,attorney ,g5]al may =?) file ) !       
di/rict c\rt an application = an ord]   
provid+ = ! c\nt+ & c]tification ( !    
ballots ( su* p]sons & requir+ !        
inclusion ( _! votes 9 ! total vote =   
all applicable (fices be=e ! results (  
su* election %all be deem$ f9al & any   
=ce or effect giv5 !reto44  #aac4       
,en=cem5t ( ,vot+ ,rights by ,attorney  
,g5]al ,section #ab ( ! ,vot+ ,rights   
,act ( #aife 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 ?is ,act & o!r ,f$]al laws 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 ! ,attorney ,g5]al has reason 
to believe is )9 _! possession1 cu/ody1 
or control4 ,a dem& by ! ,attorney      
,g5]al "u ?is subsection 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? ! production describ$ "u       
subp>agraph 7,a7 & ! answ]s describ$ "u 
subp>agraph 7,b74  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 ! ,f$]al law 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* 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$4 
,su* dem&s %all be aim$ 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$2 &  7ii7 prescribe a    
return date = production ( ! docum5t>y  
mat]ial at lea/ #bj days aft] issuance (
 ! dem& to give ! ,/ate or political    
subdivision1 or o!r gov]nm5tal          
repres5tative or ag5t1 a reasonable     
p]iod ( "t = assembl+ ! docum5t>y       
mat]ial & mak+ x available = inspection 
& copy+4  7,d7 ,answ]s to writt5        
que/ions ,if ! dem& issu$ "u p>agraph   
7#a7 requires answ]s 9 writ+ to writt5  
que/ions1 x %all-- 7i7 set =? )         
specificity ! writt5 "q to be answ]$2 & 
7ii7 prescribe a date at lea/ #bj days  
aft] ! issuance ( ! dem& = submitt+     
answ]s 9 writ+ to ! writt5 que/ions4    
7,e7 ,s]vice ,a dem& issu$ "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 %all1 ) 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$2  7ii7 ) respect to e answ] 
9 writ+ to a writt5 "q1 all in=mation   
requir$ by ! "q & 9 ! possession1       
cu/ody1 control1 or k ( ! ,/ate or      

political subdivision1 or o!r gov]nm5tal
 repres5tative or ag5t1 has be5         
submitt$2 or  7iii7 ! requirem5ts       
describ$ 9 bo? clause 7i7 & clause 7ii7 
h be5 met2 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  #aad4 ,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 ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74  
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 ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74  
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  #aae4 ,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  #aaf4 ,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  7d7      
,review ( precle>ance submission "u     

section #e due to exig5cy ,section #e ( 
su* ,act 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjd7 is      
am5d$1 9 subsection 7a71 by ins]t+ ,an  
exig5cy1 includ+ a natural disa/]1      
inclem5t wea!r1 or o!r un=eseeable ev5t1
 requir+ su* diff]5t qualification1     
pr]equisite1 /&>d1 practice1 or proc$ure
 )9 #cj days ( a ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 or local
 election %all con/itute good cause     
requir+ ! ,attorney ,g5]al to exp$ite   
consid]ation ( ! submission4 aft] w n be
 made44  #aag4 ,sev]ability ,if any     
provision ( ! ,john ,r4 ,lewis ,vot+    
,rights ,advancem5t ,act ( #bjbe or any 
am5dm5t made by ?is title1 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 title & 
am5dm5ts made by ?is title1 & !         
application ( ! provisions & am5dm5ts to
 any o!r p]son or circum/ance1 & any    
rema9+ provision ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act 
( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja et seq471 
%all n be affect$ by ! hold+4 ,9        

addition1 if any provision ( ! ,vot+    
,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4     
#ajcja et seq471 or any am5dm5t to !    
,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife1 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 ! application ( !       
provision & am5dm5t to any o!r p]son or 
circum/ance1 & any rema9+ provisions ( !
 ,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife1 %all n be  
affect$ by ! hold+4  #aah4 ,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  ,,ii     
,election ,work] & ,poll+ ,place        
,protection  #bja4 ,%ort title ,?is     
title may be cit$ z ! ,election ,work] &
 ,poll+ ,place ,protection ,act4  #bjb4 
,prohibition on int]f]5ce & intimidation
 ,section #aa ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act (  
#aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjg7 is am5d$ by
 add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7f7 7#a7 7,a7 
,:oev]1 :e!r or n act+ "u color ( law1  
by =ce or ?reat ( =ce1 or by viol5ce or 
?reat ( viol5ce to any p]son or prop]ty1
 willfully int]f]es ) or attempts to    
int]f]e )1 ! ability ( any p]son or any 
class ( p]sons to vote or qualify to    
vote1 or to qualify or act z a poll     

wat*] or z any legally au?oriz$ election
 (ficial1 9 any prim>y1 special1 or     
g5]al election1 or any p]son :o is1 or  
is employ$ by1 an ag5t1 contractor1 or  
v5dor ( a legally au?oriz$ election     
(ficial assi/+ 9 ! adm9i/ration ( any   
prim>y1 special1 or g5]al election to   
assi/ 9 t adm9i/ration1 %all be f9$ n m 
?an #b1ejj1 or imprison$ n m ?an #f     
mon?s1 or bo?4  7,b7 ,:oev]1 :e!r or n  
act+ "u color ( law1 by =ce or ?reat (  
=ce1 or by viol5ce or ?reat ( viol5ce to
 any p]son or prop]ty1 willfully        
intimidates or attempts to intimidate1  
any p]son or any class ( p]sons seek+ to
 vote or qualify to vote1 or to qualify 
or act z a poll wat*] or z any legally  
au?oriz$ election (ficial1 9 any prim>y1
 special1 or g5]al election1 or any     
p]son :o is1 or is employ$ by1 an ag5t1 
contractor1 or v5dor ( a legally        
au?oriz$ election (ficial assi/+ 9 !    
adm9i/ration ( any prim>y1 special1 or  
g5]al election1 %all be f9$ n m ?an     
#b1ejj1 or imprison$ n m ?an #f mon?s1  

or bo?4  7,c7 ,if bodily injury results 
f an act committ$ 9 violation ( ?is     
p>agraph or if su* act includes ! use1  
attempt$ use1 or ?reat5$ use ( a dang]\s
 weapon1 an explosive1 or fire1 !n1 9   
lieu ( ! rem$y describ$ 9 subp>agraph   
7,a7 or 7,b71 ! violator %all be f9$ n m
 ?an #e1jjj or imprison$ n m ?an #a ye>1
 or bo?4  7#b7 7,a7 ,:oev]1 :e!r or n   
act+ "u color ( law1 willfully          
physically damages or ?reat5s to        
physically damage any physical prop]ty  
be+ us$ z a poll+ place or tabulation   
c5t] or o!r election infra/ructure1 ) ! 
int5t to int]f]e ) ! adm9i/ration ( a   
prim>y1 g5]al1 or special election or ! 
tabulation or c]tification ( votes = su*
 an election1 %all be f9$ n m ?an       
#b1ejj1 or imprison$ n m ?an #f mon?s1  
or bo?4  7,b7 ,if bodily injury results 
f an act committ$ 9 violation ( ?is     
p>agraph or if su* act includes ! use1  
attempt$ use1 or ?reat5$ use ( a dang]\s
 weapon1 an explosive1 or fire1 !n1 9   
lieu ( ! rem$y describ$ 9 subp>agraph   

7,a71 ! violator %all be f9$ n m ?an    
#e1jjj or imprison$ n m ?an #a ye>1 or  
bo?4  7#c7 ,= purposes ( ?is subsection1
 de m9imus damage or a ?reat ( de m9imus
 damage to physical prop]ty %all n be   
consid]$ a violation ( ?is subsection4  
7#d7 ,= purposes ( ?is subsection1 ! t]m
 election infra/ructure means any (fice 
( a legally au?oriz$ election (ficial1  
or a /aff]1 work]1 or volunte]1 assi/+  
su* an election (ficial or any physical1
 me*anical1 or electrical device1       
/ructure1 or tangible item1 us$ 9 !     
process ( creat+1 di/ribut+1 vot+1      
return+1 c\nt+1 tabulat+1 audit+1 /or+1 
or o!r h&l+ ( vot] regi/ration or ballot
 in=mation4  7g7 ,no prosecution ( any  
(f5se describ$ 9 subsection 7f7 may be  
und]tak5 by ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 except "u !
 c]tification 9 writ+ ( ! ,attorney     
,g5]al1 or a designee1 t-- 7#a7 ! ,/ate 
does n h jurisdiction2  7#b7 ! ,/ate has
 reque/$ t ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t assume    
jurisdiction2 or  7#c7 a prosecution by 
! ,unit$ ,/ates is 9 ! public int]e/ &  

necess>y to secure sub/antial ju/ice4  4