RUNOFFS IN JACKSON,JESSE BACKYARD

Previous research has examined the impact of the majority vote or runo ff election requirement on the success of minority and incumbent candi dates in the South. This study examines the consequences of runoffs in Chicago city council elections. Contrary to allegations that runoffs disadvantage minority candidates, from 1975 to 1991 both minorities an d women were advantaged by the majority vote requirement in Chicago. I n addition, the runoff appears to have been a crucial factor in the re placement of Daley-machine black councillors in the late 1970s and 198 0s with allies of Harold Washington.