America's Uneven Democracy
Race, Turnout, and Representation in City Politics

This book demonstrates that low and uneven voter turnout leads to disadvantages for racial and ethnic minorities and proposes a practical and cost-effective solution.

Zoltan L. Hajnal (Author)

9780521137508, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 23 November 2009

254 pages, 8 b/w illus. 24 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.5 cm, 0.34 kg

'This is a ground-breaking analysis of how uneven turnout alters the balance of power in local politics. Zoltan Hajnal rigorously and comprehensively illustrates the myriad ways in which the relatively low turnout of racial minorities hinders their representation in the political sphere. In so doing, he provides a stern warning to those who feel that racial minorities are well represented in the age of Obama, as well as an important corrective to those that say that turnout does not matter in America.' Paul Frymer, Princeton University

Although there is a widespread belief that uneven voter turnout leads to biased outcomes in American democracy, existing empirical tests have found few effects. By offering a systematic account of how and where turnout matters in local politics, this book challenges much of what we know about turnout in America today. It demonstrates that low and uneven turnout, a factor at play in most American cities, leads to sub-optimal outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities. Low turnout results in losses in mayoral elections, less equitable racial and ethnic representation on city councils, and skewed spending policies. The importance of turnout confirms long held suspicions about the under-representation of minorities and raises normative concerns about local democracy. Fortunately, this book offers a solution. Analysis of local participation indicates that a small change to local election timing - a reform that is cost effective and relatively easy to enact - could dramatically expand local voter turnout.

Introduction: the vote and democracy
1. Where turnout should matter
2. Turnout could matter at the local level
3. Winners and losers in mayoral elections
4. Turnout and representation on city councils
5. Turnout and local government spending priorities
6. Raising voter turnout
7. The benefits of expanded participation
Appendix.

Subject Areas: Comparative politics [JPB], Politics & government [JP], Sociology [JHB], Ethnic minorities & multicultural studies [JFSL1]