Race, Representation, and Local Governments in the US South: The Effect of the Voting Rights Act

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 redefined race relations in the United States. Yet evidence on its effect on Black office holding remains scant. Using novel data on Black elected officials between 1962 and 1980, we assess the impact of the Voting Rights Act on the racial makeup of local governments in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of political economy 2023-04, Vol.131 (4), p.994-1056
Main Authors: Bernini, Andrea, Facchini, Giovanni, Testa, Cecilia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Black people
Capital
Capital expenditures
Counties
Elections
Expenditures
Local government
Political economy
Public officials
Race relations
Voting rights
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Summary:The Voting Rights Act of 1965 redefined race relations in the United States. Yet evidence on its effect on Black office holding remains scant. Using novel data on Black elected officials between 1962 and 1980, we assess the impact of the Voting Rights Act on the racial makeup of local governments in the Deep South. Exploiting predetermined differential exposure of Southern counties to the mandated federal intervention, we show that the latter fostered local Black office holding, particularly in the powerful county commissions, controlling local public finances. In the presence of election by district, covered counties experienced Black representation gains and faster capital spending growth.
ISSN:0022-3808
1537-534X
DOI:10.1086/722092