Congressional Voting and the Mobilization of a Black Electorate in the South

Abstract

T HE WITHERUNG OF THE SYSTEM of intimidation which kept black registration near zero for three generations in many parts of the South has opened the way for blacks to become a powerful force in many congressional districts. Over the last two decades the number of blacks registered to vote in the South has increased by more than two million. The share of the region's blacks who are registered has risen from 25 percent in 1956 to approximately 60 percent. If this increase has had a political impact, there should be some discernible policy consequences. Black political participation may have altered the policy stands of some southern legislators. In districts where black voters are numerous but still a minority, white candidates may believe it necessary to be somewhat responsive to black interests. This supposition may promote a conflict between political expediency, i.e., the need to build a biracial coalition in order to win public office, and traditional white fears of black political influence. To appear too responsive to blacks may cost white incumbents support from their own race. From this tension, comes an important issue addressed in this paper: have white representatives become more responsive to blacks as black political activity has accelerated?