By Bill Mears, CNN Supreme Court Producer
WASHINGTON (CNN) — States currently covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, requiring federal approval before any changes in election procedures can take effect:
States covered in full (8):
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas
State covered, with some exceptions (1):
Virginia (31 cities and counties have been “exempted” and are no longer required to submit changes for approval)
States with only limited areas covered (6):
California (3 counties); Florida (5 counties); Michigan (2 townships); New York (3 of New York City’s 5 boroughs); North Carolina (40 of the state’s 100 counties); South Dakota (2 counties)
NOTE: New Hampshire (10 townships) became exempt from Section 5 as of March 2013
