The Determinants of Hispanic Representation in Municipal Government

In recent years Voting Rights Act cases brought by Hispanic litigants challenging local election systems have proliferated. This article analyzes the effects of election systems and demographic factors on the electoral success of Hispanics in municipal elections. Ability to speak English well and educational attainment of non-Hispanics are important factors that boost Hispanic representation. On average district elections enhance Hispanic representation, though the impact of district elections varies directly with the level of residential segregation. Although some Blacks may support Hispanic candidates, I do not find any significant effects of increases in Black population on the electoral success of Hispanics.