Abstract

:This article examines the linkage between racial composition and likelihood of electing a black mayor in cities of a particular size and location. Special attention is given to cities with a black majority population in 1980 or with a black mayor in 1985. Most black mayors come from cities with black majority populations, but most cities with such a majority do not have black mayors. After controlling for city size and percentage of blacks, it is shown that being located in the South has a continuing negative impact on the likelihood of electing black mayors in black majority cities. The need for the 1982 extention of the Voting Rights Act is discussed.