The Voting Rights Act contains different provisions, some of which apply throughout the country and some of which apply only in those states and local jurisdictions that meet the conditions and tests spelled out in the act. This booklet explains the general provisions of the act, including the following: voter qualifications, civil suits and attorney's fees, and the criminal provisions. In addition to the general protections that apply throughout the United States, the Voting Rights Act contains special provisions that apply only in the States and localities that meet certain conditions and statistical tests spelled out in the law. These special provisions are explained in the booklet. The discussion focuses on the four different coverage formulas or "triggers" by which the special provisions of the act may be applied to jurisdictions throughout the country. The original Voting Rights Act of 1965 provides for three kinds of direct Federal involvement in the electoral processes of jurisdictions These provide for the authority for the use of Federal examiners and Federal observers and for the requirement of Federal clearance of changes in a covered jurisdiction's election laws and practices. These provisions along with the minority language provisions are also explained. (Author/AM)