Race, Representation, and Local Governments in the US South: The Effect of the Voting Rights Act
利用1962-1980年黑人当选官员的新数据，研究投票权法案对南方地方政府种族构成的影响，发现联邦干预促进了黑人担任地方公职，尤其在掌控财政的县委员会，并伴随资本支出增长。
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.