ENHANCING FACTORS IN AT-LARGE PLURALITY AND MAJORITY SYSTEMS - A RECONSIDERATION

There are important variations in the plurality and majority at-large electoral systems used in cities in the United States. Some of these v ariations are thought to enhance the ability of a white majority to co ntrol electoral outcomes, thereby reducing the likelihood that blacks will be elected to city councils. The presence of these 'enhancing fac tors', however, is not found to account for variations in the degree o f black under-representation on city councils of large cities employin g the at-large format. Indeed, under specific conditions, one particul ar enhancing factor-staggered elections in a plurality context-may hav e consequences quite contrary to conventional expectations.