Latinos and Local Representation: Changing Realities, Emerging Theories (Latino Communities: Emerging Voices - Political, Social, Cultural and Legal Issues)

This study examines trends in the Voting Rights Act enforcement and the results for Latino representation. The focus is on local governments of the West and Southwest America. In some of the communities examined, the Latino population is increasing rapidly, often to majority status, and in others, white suburban development is dominating, sometimes displacing Latino's. In both situations, district lines can decide the future political power of Latinos and non-Latinos alike. The local distributing process, which has never been studied in depth, is shown to be reshaping the political and racist landscape.