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Disparate Racial Impacts of Shelby County v. Holder on Voter Turnout

Author

Listed:
  • Billings, Stephen B.

    (University of Colorado, Boulder)

  • Braun, Noah

    (University of Pittsburgh)

  • Jones, Daniel

    (University of Pittsburgh)

  • Shi, Ying

    (Syracuse University)

Abstract

In Shelby County v. Holder (2013), the Supreme Court struck down a core provision of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) that enabled federal electoral oversight in select jurisdictions. We study whether this decision disproportionately impacted ballot access for Black and Hispanic registered voters. We use a rich dataset on voter behavior for the universe of registered voters combined with Census block-level sociodemographic attributes to document a decrease in turnout for Black, relative to white, individuals. These effects are concentrated in counties with larger Black and Hispanic populations, consistent with strategic targeting of voter suppression.

Suggested Citation

  • Billings, Stephen B. & Braun, Noah & Jones, Daniel & Shi, Ying, 2022. "Disparate Racial Impacts of Shelby County v. Holder on Voter Turnout," IZA Discussion Papers 15829, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15829
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Enrico Cantoni, 2020. "A Precinct Too Far: Turnout and Voting Costs," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 12(1), pages 61-85, January.
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    6. Sophie Schuit & Jon C. Rogowski, 2017. "Race, Representation, and the Voting Rights Act," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 61(3), pages 513-526, July.
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    Keywords

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    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

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