Black legislative politics: Examining the issue of voting rights in the post-Hurricane Katrina period

Following Hurricane Katrina, a significant number of black voters were displaced from the New Orleans metropolitan area. With the 2006 New Orleans municipal elections forthcoming, especially the mayoral election, a significant portion of displaced black voters were faced with being disenfranchised, which was a violation of their civil rights and posed a threat to black political leadership in the city. This article examines whether black legislators provided substantive representation to these voters during the post-Hurricane Katrina period. That is, did black legislators advocate a legislative agenda to facilitate access to the ballot for displaced black New Orleans voters? Using a multi-methodological approach, evidence is presented indicating that black legislators did provide substantive representation to black voters by introducing key voting rights bills and voting in a way that was responsive to black concerns which facilitated access to the ballot.

► In the post-Hurricane Katrina legislative sessions, five junior black legislators from New Orleans introduced 22 bills. ► These bills helped to facilitate access to the ballot for displaced black voters. ► No white legislators, either Democrat or Republican, introduced a bill related explicitly to facilitating access to the ballot for displaced voters, black or white. ► Black legislators presence and commitment to pass significant voting rights bills was exhibited through their legislative efforts. ► These bills helped re-elect New Orleans incumbent Mayor Ray Nagin in the 2006 mayoral election.