The Senate voted 98-0 to approve a 25-year extension to the Voting Rights Act.

The measure requires several states, including those with a record of discrimination against Native voters, to obtain federal clearance for changes in voter plans. It requires that ballots be printed in Native languages when the Native population reaches a certain percentage.

Conservative Republicans in the House tried to strip these and other related provisions from their version of the bill. They were unsuccessful in amending the measure earlier this month.

President Bush said he will sign the bill into law.

Get the Story:
Voting Rights Act Extension Passes In Senate, 98 to 0 (The Washington Post 7/21)
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By a Vote of 98-0, Senate Approves 25-Year Extension of Voting Rights Act (The New York Times 7/21)
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Voting Rights Legislation:
Voting Rights Reauthorization (H.R.9)

Civil Rights Report:
Voting Rights in South Dakota, 1982-2006 (May 17, 2006)

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