New Rules for Voting in the USA

May 9, 2026, 14:56
USPolitics

Introduction

Courts in the USA changed the rules for voting and voting maps.

Main Body

The US Supreme Court changed a law. Now, some states can change their voting maps. Tennessee, Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina want to do this. These changes make it harder for Black voters to win elections. In Virginia, a court stopped a new voting rule. The court said the government did not follow the correct steps. Because of this, the Democratic party keeps more seats in the government. Many people are worried. Civil rights groups say these changes are bad. They say it is like the old days when many people could not vote.

Conclusion

Now, states are changing maps to help their own political parties.

Learning

⚡ The "Make it + Adjective" Pattern

In the text, we see: "These changes make it harder for Black voters..."

When you want to say a situation is easier or more difficult, use this simple formula:

MAKE IT + [Feeling/State]

  • Make it harder →\rightarrow More difficult
  • Make it easier →\rightarrow Less difficult

Real-life examples:

  • "The new map makes it harder to win."
  • "The internet makes it easier to learn English."

🌍 Useful Words for A2

WordSimple Meaning
RuleA law or a command
CourtA place where a judge decides the law
WorriedFeeling nervous or scared about the future

💡 Quick Tip: "Because of this"

Instead of using long sentences, use "Because of this," to start a new sentence and show a result.

Example: "The government did not follow the steps. Because of this, the court stopped the rule."

Vocabulary Learning

courts (n.)
Places where legal cases are heard.
Example:The courts decided the case about voting maps.
USA (n.)
Abbreviation for the United States of America.
Example:The USA has many states with different voting rules.
changed (v.)
Made different from before.
Example:The Supreme Court changed the law about voting.
rules (n.)
Instructions that people must follow.
Example:New rules were made for how elections are run.
voting (n.)
The act of choosing by a vote.
Example:Voting is an important part of democracy.
maps (n.)
Drawings that show areas and borders.
Example:The states changed their voting maps last year.
law (n.)
A rule made by a government that people must obey.
Example:The Supreme Court ruled that the law was unfair.
states (n.)
Large regions that make their own laws in a country.
Example:Many states can change their voting maps.
Black (adj.)
Describing people of African descent.
Example:Black voters were made to face harder rules.
elections (n.)
Events where people choose leaders by voting.
Example:The changes affected the upcoming elections.
government (n.)
The group that runs a country or state.
Example:The government must follow the court's decision.
steps (n.)
Actions that must be taken in order.
Example:The court said the government did not follow the correct steps.
Democratic (adj.)
Relating to a system where people vote for leaders.
Example:The Democratic party keeps more seats in the government.
party (n.)
A group of people who share the same political ideas.
Example:The Democratic party is one of the main parties in the USA.
seats (n.)
Places in a building where people sit.
Example:The party keeps many seats in the government.
people (n.)
Human beings in general.
Example:Many people are worried about the new rules.
worried (adj.)
Feeling anxious or concerned.
Example:Many people are worried about how the changes affect them.
civil (adj.)
Related to the rights and duties of citizens.
Example:Civil rights groups speak out against unfair rules.
rights (n.)
The freedoms that people are entitled to.
Example:The groups fight for the rights of all voters.
groups (n.)
Sets of people who share a common interest.
Example:Civil rights groups meet to discuss the new law.
bad (adj.)
Not good or harmful.
Example:They say the changes are bad for voters.
days (n.)
Periods of 24 hours.
Example:The old days were when many people could not vote.
could (modal verb)
Indicates ability or possibility in the past.
Example:Many people could not vote in those days.
vote (v.)
To choose by giving a ballot.
Example:Everyone should vote in the election.
parties (n.)
Political groups that compete for power.
Example:States change maps to help their own political parties.
help (v.)
To give assistance or support.
Example:The new maps help the parties win more seats.
own (adj.)
Belonging to oneself.
Example:They want to protect their own voting maps.
political (adj.)
Related to government or politics.
Example:The changes have a big political impact.
changing (v.)
Making something different.
Example:States are changing maps to influence elections.
rule (n.)
A statement that tells people what to do.
Example:The court stopped a new voting rule.
new (adj.)
Recently made or introduced.
Example:They introduced a new rule about voting.
stopped (v.)
Halted or ended.
Example:The court stopped the new voting rule.
follow (v.)
To go after or obey.
Example:The government must follow the court’s decision.
correct (adj.)
Free from mistakes or errors.
Example:The court said the steps were not correct.
make (v.)
To create or produce.
Example:The law makes it harder for voters to win elections.
harder (adj.)
More difficult.
Example:The changes make voting harder for some people.
keep (v.)
To hold or maintain.
Example:The Democratic party keeps more seats.
old (adj.)
From a long time ago.
Example:The old days were when many people could not vote.
like (prep.)
Similar to or having the same characteristics.
Example:The changes are like the old days.