Measuring the Effects of Black Identity on Legislative Voting Behavior: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the relationship between legislative voting behavior and perceptions of black identity among black legislators in Louisiana. We find the following: first, on some of the black identity measures black members shared similar identities; however, on other measures there are greater variations; second, black identity and ideology did not influence voting decisions for all legislation and on black interest bills; and finally, self-perception of race and ideology did affect cohesiveness (i.e., in other words, black members were the most cohesive group within the Louisiana Legislature). In the end, it could be very plausible that under certain conditions, black identity may take a back seat to other identities (i.e., party, ideology, and district needs), and this may be precisely the reason we did not see black identity difference influence voting behavior.