Suppose that a large city in Texas has a
population that is 50 percent non-Hispanic white, 30 percent Latino, and 20 percent African American. It has a city council of 12 members. Which of the following election systems would you expect minority-rights groups to support most strongly?
a) An all single-member district system, because the Voting Rights Act would ensure that districts would be drawn to enhance the election chances of Latino and African American candidates.
b) An all at-large election system, because minority candidates would be guaranteed to win half the seats because they represent half the population.
c) An all at-large election system, because minority voters could participate in the election of every member of council.
d) A mixed system of district and at-large seats, because minority voters would be ensured of winning at least half the council seats.
e) It does not matter what kind of election system is used.
Question 2
Which of the following factors played the most important role in the elimination of at-large election systems in many Texas cities?
a) a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court holding that at-large elections are unconstitutional
b) the passage of a law by the Texas legislature requiring cities to use district elections rather than at-large election systems
c) the application of the federal Voting Rights Act to city elections
d) a ruling by the Texas Supreme Court that at-large election systems violate the Texas Constitution
e) decision by cities to maximize the votes of white voters.
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