Voting Rights: Federal Protections and Recent Legal Challenges

This report examines federal voting rights protections under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act, and constitutional amendments. It discusses the impact of Shelby County v. Holder (2013) on Section 5 preclearance and subsequent Section 2 litigation.

The report analyzes Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee (2021) and its implications for challenges to voting restrictions under Section 2. It discusses state voting law changes, including voter identification requirements, mail-in voting regulations, ballot drop box rules, and early voting provisions.

Congressional considerations include proposals to restore preclearance requirements, establish new federal voting standards, address voter roll maintenance practices, and ensure accessibility for voters with disabilities and language minorities.