In the summer of 1975, the protective provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act were extended to parts of the Southwest. This marks a significant point in the history to secure for Chicanos a meaningful participation in the political process. The basic purpose of the Act assures that minorities can participate in the election process without any unreasonable barriers which might discourage voting. Although the Act will not eliminate all forms of voter discrimination, it will serve to discourage states, counties, school districts, and cities from making discriminatory election law changes. In addition, the Act provides other protections to insure fair registration drives and elections. Important parts of the Act which apply to states, counties, school districts, cities, and other special districts in certain areas of the Southwest are: covered jurisdictions must show that any changes in election laws do not have a discriminatory purpose or effect; Federal examiners can be assigned to an area to encourage minority voter registration; Federal observers may also be sent to an area to observe election day activities and document any instances of voter discrimination; bilingual elections must be conducted in those areas covered by the Act. This handbook, written in English and Spanish, describes the Act's protective features and lists the circumstances by which Chicanos can have direct input into the enforcement of these provisions. (NQ)