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.
White-winged Duck at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park, North Carolina
Anatomy of the large intestine
Area of Manatee Population
Working and Living and Playing in the City Dump of Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The large intestine.
The Great Spike in World Population Growth