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

Giovanni Facchini, Andrea Bernini and Cecilia Testa

No 12774, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 redefined race relations in the US South. Yet, evidence on its effect on black office-holding remains scant. Using novel data on black elected officials between 1962-1980, we assess the causal impact of the VRA on the racial make-up of local governments in the Deep South. Exploiting predetermined differential exposure of US Southern counties to the VRA mandated federal intervention, we show that the latter fostered local black office-holding, particularly in the powerful county commissions, controlling local public finances. The change in the racial composition of county governments led to faster capital spending growth.

Keywords: Minority rights; Enfranchisement; Local elections; Identity politics; Public good provision (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D72 H7 J15 N92 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cdm, nep-his, nep-lab, nep-law, nep-pol and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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Journal Article: Race, Representation, and Local Governments in the US South: The Effect of the Voting Rights Act (2023)
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