The first section of the Act establishes its short title, stating that it may be referred to as the “John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025.”

The proposed changes to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 involve adjusting the ways in which vote dilution, denial, or abridgment claims can be made. It specifies the conditions that establish such claims, including historical voting discrimination and racially polarized voting patterns, and outlines the factors courts consider when analyzing these claims, focusing on burdens faced by minority groups in voting.

The text adds new rules to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to prevent states or political subdivisions from enacting voting qualifications or practices that reduce citizens' voting abilities based on race or color. It also states that certain court decisions from the District of Columbia can override these rules.

The section outlines amendments to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, expanding the type of violations that can prompt court intervention. Specifically, it now includes not only breaches of the 14th or 15th Amendments but also violations of this Act and any federal law that prohibits voting discrimination based on race, color, or language minority status.

The section defines the criteria for determining when states and political subdivisions are subject to specific requirements under the Voting Rights Act. It includes rules for assessing past voting rights violations, the duration of applicability, and procedures for exemptions, known as "administrative bailouts," for political subdivisions meeting certain conditions.

The section describes how certain changes to voting laws, like altering election methods or reducing voting locations, require states and local governments to get approval before implementation to prevent discrimination against racial or language minority groups. It outlines the criteria for changes needing oversight and the process for getting approval from the Attorney General or the courts.

The document outlines rules for determining which states or areas need approval, known as "preclearance," before making certain changes to voting practices. These include changes like altering election methods, changing district borders, adjusting voting requirements, and modifying voting locations, especially if these changes might negatively impact racial or language minority groups. The Attorney General and courts play roles in reviewing these changes to ensure they do not restrict voting rights based on race or language.

The section amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to require states and political subdivisions to provide public notice of any changes in voting procedures, polling place resources, and electoral district demographics to promote transparency and protect voting rights, ensuring information is accessible to persons with disabilities. It specifies deadlines for these notices and mandates that small jurisdictions comply voluntarily unless they meet certain population criteria.

The section requires states and local governments to publicly announce any changes to voting qualifications, polling place resources, or electoral districts, ensuring the information is accessible to people with disabilities. If the given requirements aren’t met, voters can't be denied or have their voting rights reduced based on the changes.

The section discusses changes to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, allowing the Attorney General to assign observers to ensure voting rights are protected, especially in areas needing bilingual election assistance. It transfers authority from the Office of Personnel Management to the Attorney General, who will determine when observers are necessary to uphold voting rights laws.

The section amends various parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to allow both individuals who are affected and the Attorney General to take legal action if they believe voting rights are being violated, such as through unfair voting requirements or discrimination, not just the Attorney General alone.

The text outlines changes to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, specifically detailing when courts should grant preliminary relief in cases concerning potential violations of voting laws. It mentions that if there's a serious question about whether a voting rule violates the law, relief may be granted if the harm to the defendant is less than that to the plaintiff. It also lists factors courts should consider, such as past discrimination issues, recent changes before an election, and whether proper notice was given. Additionally, it states that a jurisdiction's lack of enforcement of voting laws alone does not justify blocking a court's decision.

In this section, the bill addresses protections against violations of voting rights laws, defining what actions are prohibited and ensuring that courts prioritize expanding access to voting. It establishes criteria for granting or denying relief close to elections and highlights the importance of not harming citizens who rely on existing orders, emphasizing the public's interest in upholding voting rights.

The section describes how the Attorney General can enforce voting rights. It allows the Attorney General to request relevant documents and information from states or local governments, and if they don't comply, to seek a court order. States can challenge the demands in court if they have a valid legal reason.

The section amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by adding definitions for terms related to Native American communities, such as "Indian," "Indian lands," "Indian tribe," "Tribal Government," and "voting-age population," which detail what these terms mean within the context of the Act.

This section of the bill explains the meanings of several terms: "Indian" and "Indian tribe" are defined according to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, "Indian lands" refers to various types of land associated with Native tribes, including specific lands in Alaska, and "Tribal Government" denotes the official leaders of an Indian Tribe. Additionally, "voting-age population" is described as the number of people aged 18 or older, determined by the latest U.S. Census.

The amendment to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 clarifies that a "prevailing party" in a legal case is one that achieves at least part of the goal they were seeking, presents a legitimate claim, and proves that their case led to a change in the existing situation.

This section of the bill proposes several technical amendments to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It updates the language concerning legal actions, clarifies the treatment of members of language minority groups by removing certain passages, and revises preclearance conditions for changes in voting practices to include a defined "applicable date of coverage" based on specific historical or future dates.

If any part of this Act or its amendments is found to be unconstitutional or can't be enforced, the rest of the Act and amendments will still remain in effect, along with any parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that are not affected.

The section explains that the Attorney General will offer yearly grants to small jurisdictions, defined as areas with a population of 10,000 or less, to help them meet the notice requirements of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 when they change any rules related to voting. To receive a grant, these jurisdictions must apply and provide necessary information as determined by the Attorney General.