DP12774 Race, Representation and Local Governments in the US South: the effect of the Voting Rights Act
Author(s): | Andrea Bernini, Giovanni Facchini, Cecilia Testa |
Publication Date: | March 2018 |
Date Revised: | August 2019 |
Keyword(s): | Enfranchisement, Identity Politics, Local Elections, Minority Rights, Public Good Provision |
JEL(s): | D72, H7, J15, N92 |
Programme Areas: | Public Economics, Economic History |
Link to this Page: | cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=12774 |
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.