Changes

The National Voting Rights Act of 1965<ref>42 U.S.C. § 1973-1973aa-6</ref> authorized, and in some areas required, federal oversight of elections. As frequently amended, it imposes a complex system of regulations that include forcing local governments to print multilingual ballots, at their own expense, including many different foreign languages.  It requires federal registration of voters in regions where less than 50% of minorities are registered.

The National Voting Rights Act of 1965<ref>42 U.S.C. § 1973-1973aa-6</ref> authorized, and in some areas required, federal oversight of elections. Many of these areas were in the South. Frequently amended, it imposes a complex system of regulations that include forcing local governments to print multilingual ballots at their own expense, in many different foreign languages.  It requires federal registration of voters in regions where less than 50% of minorities are registered.

The Act gives the Department of Justice the power to approve or reject any change in a voting law in certain districts where less than 50% of the population were registered to vote in 1964.  The Act also outlawed literacy tests that once limited the right to vote in some areas to those who could read the ballot.

The Act gives the Department of Justice the power to approve or reject any change in a voting law in certain districts where less than 50% of the population were registered to vote in 1964.  The Act also outlawed literacy tests that once limited the right to vote in some areas to those who could read the ballot, as well as so-called "Grandfather Clauses".

Although the Act is over 40 years old and addresses issues from the early 1960s, in 2006 Congress passed a 25-year extension without meaningful debate.  33 House members opposed the 25-year extension, primarily because of the imposition of multilingual balloting.  Not a single senator, however, voted against it, and President [[George W. Bush]] quickly signed it into law.

Although the Act is over 40 years old and addresses issues from the early 1960s and before, in 2006 Congress passed a 25-year extension without meaningful debate.  33 House members opposed the 25-year extension, primarily because of the imposition of multilingual balloting.  Not a single senator, however, voted against it, and President [[George W. Bush]] quickly signed it into law.

== References ==

== References ==

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