Section 2 -- Prerequisite

• This section was written to prevent polling locations from creating prerequisites that must be met in order to vote. Voting rights could no longer be denied due to a person's race or color.
  
  

Section 3 -- Prosecution

• Section 3 provided protection for those who felt their rights were being denied based on prerequisites of race and color. The Attorney General would have the right to begin proceedings against any state or locality utilizing tests to discriminate against voters based on race or color. Depending on the findings, the Attorney General would then be able to step in to suspend these tests, or in more severe cases, take over the entire voting process in that area for a set amount of time.
  
  

Section 4 -- Appealing the Decision

• Each state accused of using prerequisites to discriminate would be able to plead their case before the United States District Court in Washington, D.C. The state would be responsible for proving to the government these prerequisites that were instituted were done so for a purpose other than to discriminate based on race or color.
  
  

Section 10 -- Poll Tax

• Many states had attempted to institute a poll tax that would require potential voters to pay a fee in order to vote. This section prohibited states from using this, as it could create a financial hardship for families and violate the rights of legal voters.
  
  

Section 11 -- Denying Right to Vote

• This section prohibits anyone from denying anyone else the right to vote by operating under the pretense of following the law. It also prohibits the use of threats and coercion to prevent someone from voting. Giving incorrect information at the polls in order to vote is deemed illegal in this section as well.
  
  

Section 12 -- Consequences

• Section 12 addresses the consequences that can occur if any of the other sections have been violated. Violators can be fined up to $5,000 and may serve time in jail up to 5 years. In some cases, both may be deemed appropriate. Attempting to destroy or alter ballots or conspiring to violate these sections may result in the same consequences.