The Justice Department said the Civil Rights Division's effort is aimed at finding out whether voters are subject to different voting qualifications or procedures on the basis of race, color, or membership in a language minority group.
The department also wants to find out whether jurisdictions are complying with the minority language provisions of the Voting Rights Act and whether voters who have disabilities or are illiterate are allowed to get help from someone of their choosing.
They also want to check compliance with the provisional ballot requirements of the Help America Vote Act, which reworked election standards and provided money to encourage states upgrade election equipment and get rid of punch-card systems.
