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The Franchise, Policing, and Race: Evidence from Arrests Data and the Voting Rights Act

Author

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  • Giovanni Facchini
  • Brian Knight
  • Cecilia Testa

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between the franchise and policing. We find that, following the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Black arrest rates in counties that both had more 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. Our results are driven by arrests by sheriffs, who are always elected, and by less serious offenses. These results indicate that voting rights, when combined with electoral accountability, lead to improved treatment of minority groups by police.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Facchini & Brian Knight & Cecilia Testa, 2025. "The Franchise, Policing, and Race: Evidence from Arrests Data and the Voting Rights Act," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 17(4), pages 134-154, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejapp:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:134-54
    DOI: 10.1257/app.20230640
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • K16 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Election Law
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • N32 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-
    • N42 - Economic History - - Government, War, Law, International Relations, and Regulation - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-

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