Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

52 U.S.C. § 10501

Application of prohibition to other States; “test or device” defined

(a)
No citizen shall be denied, because of his failure to comply with any test or device, the right to vote in any Federal, State, or local election conducted in any State or political subdivision of a State.
(b)
As used in this section, the term “test or device” means any requirement that a person as a prerequisite for voting or registration for voting (1) demonstrate the ability to read, write, understand, or interpret any matter, (2) demonstrate any educational achievement or his knowledge of any particular subject, (3) possess good moral character, or (4) prove his qualifications by the voucher of registered voters or members of any other class.

Pub. L. 89–110, title II, § 201Pub. L. 91–285, § 684 Stat. 315 Pub. L. 94–73, title I, § 10289 Stat. 400 (, as added , , ; amended , , .)

Editorial Notes

Codification

section 1973aa of Title 42Section was formerly classified to , The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section. Some section numbers referenced in amendment notes below reflect the classification of such sections prior to their editorial reclassification to this title.

Amendments

Pub. L. 94–73section 1973b(a) of this titlesection 1973b(b) of this title1975—Subsec. (a). struck out “Prior to ,” and “as to which the provisions of are not in effect by reason of determinations made under ”.