Changes

The Voting Rights Act requires "pre-clearance" by the U.S. Department of Justice for any changes in election law by a state or local government that is covered by the Act.  When South Carolina passed its voter ID law, the Voting Rights Act gave the Obama Administration the power to delay and object to the law, because South Carolina is covered by the Voting Rights Act.  Even though there is nothing overtly racial about South Carolina's voter ID law (like many of the laws with the effect of restricting black voting during the Jim Crow era), the Voting Rights Act has been used to force states to ensure that changes to voting procedures do not have discriminatory purpose or effect.

The Voting Rights Act requires "pre-clearance" by the U.S. Department of Justice for any changes in election law by a state or local government that is covered by the Act.  When South Carolina passed its voter ID law, the Voting Rights Act gave the Obama Administration the power to delay and object to the law, because South Carolina is covered by the Voting Rights Act.  Even though there is nothing overtly racial about South Carolina's voter ID law (like many of the laws with the effect of restricting black voting during the Jim Crow era), the Voting Rights Act has been used to force states to ensure that changes to voting procedures do not have discriminatory purpose or effect.

Florida attempted to trim back its early voting period for the last election, but the Obama Administration used the Voting Rights Act to object to that.  The U.S. Constitution gives the federal government extraordinary powers of "pre-clearance" before any area subject to the Voting Rights Act changes its election laws.

Florida attempted to trim back its early voting period for the last election, but the Obama Administration used the Voting Rights Act to object to that.  The U.S. Constitution gives the federal government extraordinary powers to grant or deny "pre-clearance" necessary for any covered jurisdiction to make changes to its election laws.

These areas of the Nation are subject to the Voting Rights Act (note that New Jersey is not subject to it).  These are known as "Section 5 Covered Jurisdictions":<ref>"Section 5" refers to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.  The federal government can add or subtract jurisdictions simply by issuing a federal regulation, without Congress actually approving the addition of a new State or county to the list.</ref>

These areas of the Nation are subject to the Voting Rights Act (note that New Jersey is not subject to it).  These are known as "Section 5 Covered Jurisdictions":<ref>"Section 5" refers to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.  The federal government can add or subtract jurisdictions simply by issuing a federal regulation, without Congress actually approving the addition of a new State or county to the list.</ref>

===Entire States Covered by the Voting Rights Act===

===Entire States that are Covered===

*Alabama

*Alabama

*Virginia

*Virginia

===States Having Counties that Are Covered by the Voting Rights Act===

===States Having Counties that Are Covered===

*California

*California

*South Dakota

*South Dakota

===States Having Townships that Are Covered by the Voting Rights Act===

===States Having Townships that Are Covered===

*Michigan

*Michigan