The first section of the bill states that it may be referred to as the “John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2024”.

The amendment to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 addresses vote dilution, denial, and abridgment. It establishes criteria for identifying discriminatory practices, emphasizes the need to consider historical and social contexts when evaluating voting processes that burden minority groups, and clarifies standards for proving intent to dilute voting power or deny voting rights based on race or color.

Section 102 of the Voting Rights Act describes a violation when states or regions enact or attempt to enforce voting requirements that reduce voting access based on race or color, after January 1, 2021. It notes that decisions by the United States District Court in Washington, D.C., on related matters will override this section.

The text amends sections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to include violations of any federal law that prohibits discrimination in voting based on race, color, or language minority status, alongside violations of the 14th and 15th Amendments, as reasons for courts to retain authority over certain cases.

The text outlines the criteria and processes for determining which U.S. states and political subdivisions are subject to specific requirements under the Voting Rights Act due to past voting rights violations. It provides the conditions under which states or subdivisions can avoid these requirements, such as obtaining a favorable declaratory judgment, and details how violations are assessed and categorized.

The section outlines rules requiring certain U.S. states and political subdivisions to get approval before making changes to voting laws and procedures, especially if those changes could affect racial or language minority groups. It includes specific actions that would need preapproval and sets criteria for these groups to ensure voting rights are not compromised.

The text outlines rules for certain voting changes in states and political subdivisions to ensure they don't discriminate based on race, color, or language minority status. Before making these changes, like altering voting methods or reducing voting locations, the changes must be reviewed and approved to ensure they don't limit voting rights.

The section amends the Voting Rights Act to ensure transparency when states or political subdivisions make changes to voting-related practices or procedures. It requires them to provide public notice of such changes, including details about polling place resources, demographics, and electoral districts, within specific timeframes and in formats accessible to people with disabilities.

The section mandates that states and political subdivisions must give public notice of any changes to voting procedures, polling place resources, and electoral district demographics. Notifications must be accessible to those with disabilities and provided shortly after changes are made, with specific requirements for transparency concerning demographics and electoral data, ensuring no person's right to vote is denied due to the lack of adherence to these requirements.

The section details changes to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, transferring authority to assign election observers from the Office of Personnel Management to the Attorney General. It specifies conditions under which observers can be assigned, particularly for bilingual elections, and allows the Attorney General to work with the Office of Personnel Management in selecting and deploying observers.

The section clarifies that both the Attorney General and individuals who believe they have been wronged can take legal action to address violations of voting rights. This includes seeking injunctions or orders to prevent acts or practices that may infringe upon voting rights as protected by several amendments and federal laws.

The section outlines conditions under which courts can grant or deny preliminary relief in cases related to voting rights. It specifies that a court shall consider factors like whether a voting rule change happened too close to an election or without giving proper notice, and emphasizes that not being able to enforce voting laws does not automatically mean irreparable harm to the public interest.

The section changes the Voting Rights Act by extending the deadline for bilingual election requirements from 2032 to 2037.

In this section, the bill outlines the kind of actions prohibited under voting rights laws and establishes rules for granting or denying equitable relief when those rights are violated. It emphasizes that courts should focus on making voting more accessible and explains when courts should avoid stopping or undoing orders that protect voting rights, especially as elections approach.

The proposed amendments to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 aim to ensure that no one acting under legal authority can prevent eligible voters from voting or tamper with vote tabulation, and grant the Attorney General the power to take legal action against violations related to federal elections. This includes altering deadlines for maintaining election records, allowing actions against solicitation of violations, and ensuring votes are properly counted and certified.

The section expands the powers of the Attorney General to enforce voting rights by allowing the Attorney General to request voting-related documents and information from states or local governments. It also outlines processes for compliance or contesting these demands through legal petitions.

The text introduces definitions in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, specifying terms related to Native Americans, including "Indian," "Indian lands," "Indian tribe," and "Tribal Government." It also defines "voting-age population" as the number of people age 18 or older living within certain areas, based on the latest census data.

The section defines key terms used in the Act, including “Indian,” “Indian lands,” “Indian tribe,” “Tribal Government,” and “voting-age population.” These definitions help clarify who or what each term refers to in relation to laws affecting Indian tribes and their lands.

The section updates the definition of "prevailing party" under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to include a party that achieves some benefit from a legal action, presents a reasonable claim, and proves the action significantly changed the current situation.

The section makes several technical changes to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It updates the language regarding who can bring legal actions, clarifies how members of language minority groups are treated, redefines the time period during which changes to voting practices must receive preclearance, and requires that emergencies like natural disasters can speed up the review process for these changes.

If any part of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2024 or its amendments is found to be unconstitutional or unenforceable, it will not affect the rest of the law or its amendments. Similarly, if any part of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 or its amendments is found to be unconstitutional or unenforceable, the other parts of that law will still remain in effect.

The section outlines that the Attorney General will provide grants each year to small jurisdictions—those with populations of 10,000 or less—to help them comply with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by providing notice of changes to voting-related practices. These jurisdictions need to apply by providing required information to be eligible for the grants.

The section indicates that this part of the legislation is called the "Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act."

The section prohibits any interference, intimidation, or physical damage related to voting and election activities, specifying fines and imprisonment for violators. It also clarifies that federal prosecutions can only occur under certain conditions, such as when a state lacks jurisdiction or requests federal involvement, or when it's necessary to ensure justice.