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Protection of Voting Rights
Published on AidPage by IDILOGIC on Jun 24, 2005
Possible uses and use restrictions...
The Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended, prohibits state and local governments from imposing or applying any voting standard, qualification, prerequisite, or procedure in a manner that results in a denial or abridgment of the right of any U.S. citizen to vote on account of race or color or because an individual is a member of a language minority group. The VRA bans the use of literacy and similar tests as a prerequisite to voter registration or voting, authorizes voters in need of assistance in voting (because of illiteracy or disability) to receive help from the person of their choice (other than their employer or union leader), and lets registered voters vote for president even if they change their residence shortly before a presidential election. Certain specially covered States and political subdivisions are required to submit any voting changes either to the District Court for the District of Columbia for a declaratory judgment that the changes do not have a discriminatory purpose or effect, or, in the alternative, to the U.S. Attorney General, who has 60 days in which to object to the proposed changes. Changes to which the Attorney General has objected are legally unenforceable unless a subsequent declaratory judgment is issued by the District Court for the District of Columbia. The VRA requires certain counties (under formulas in the act) to provide voting and election information bilingually and authorizes the Attorney General to send Federal voting observers to certain designated counties to monitor election day polling place activities to prevent discrimination. Under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 42 U.S.C. 1973ff, the Attorney General enforces the right of U.S. citizens living outside of the United States to vote in Federal elections. Under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act, 42 U.S.C. 1973ee, the States must provide accessible registration and voting facilities for Federal elections. Under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, 42 U.S.C. 1973gg, the States must conduct voter registration for Federal elections by mail and through motor vehicle and other agencies. Under the Help America Vote Act of 2002, 42 U.S.C. 15301, the States must administer federal elections in accord with minimal voting systems standards, requirements for provisional voting and voting information and requirements for computerized, statewide voter registration lists and voters who register by mail.
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