Cecilia Testa (APRW)

This Week's Speaker

Cecilia Testa, “The Franchise, Policing and Race: Evidence from Arrests Data and the Voting Rights Act”

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between the franchise and law enforcement practices using differential exposure to the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965. We find that, following the VRA, black arrest rates in counties that had both larger shares of newly enfranchised Blacks and were covered by the legislation fell compared to similar Southern counties that were not covered. We document no corresponding patterns for white arrests. We also find that police leadership matters. In particular, our results are explained by arrests carried out by sheriffs - who are always elected. Consistent with evidence of baseless arrests for minor crimes documented by several federal inquiries, we also show that the change in police treatment of African Americans is driven by less serious offences. These results indicate that voting rights, when combined with electoral accountability of chief law enforcement officers, lead to improved treatment of minority groups by police.

The American Politics Research Workshop (Gov 3004) meets all academic year, Tuesdays, 12:00 - 2:00 PM, in CGIS K354. This workshop presents an opportunity for graduate students and Harvard faculty to present and receive feedback on their current research. The workshop highlights key theoretical and empirical findings from Harvard affiliates on topics related to American politics.

All interested Harvard affiliates are invited to attend.