A recent study conducted by researchers at Rutgers University and the University of California, Berkeley, reveals that nonwhite individuals are significantly underrepresented in local government positions in the United States. The study analyzed election data from medium and large cities, counties, and school districts over the past three decades. The researchers compared the racial and ethnic composition of elected officials to that of the population they serve to determine whether different groups were proportionally represented.
The findings showed that in cities, the percentage of elected officials who are white is consistently higher than the white share of the population. This trend has persisted since the 1990s, with mayors being particularly overrepresented by white individuals. On average, 78% of mayors are white, while only 68% of the population in the cities studied is white. However, city councilors tend to have a closer resemblance to the population they represent.
The study also examined county governments and found a similar pattern of overrepresentation of white officials. Across county executives, legislators, sheriffs, and prosecutors, there are significantly more white elected officials than white residents. Black, Hispanic, and Asian residents are underrepresented in these positions. For example, although 11% of county residents in the data are Hispanic, less than 5% of politicians holding county positions are Hispanic.
The representation gap is also evident in school boards, although the data collection for this category was not as comprehensive as for cities and counties. School boards, which have recently gained attention for controversies surrounding race and education, have a significantly higher proportion of white members than the communities they serve. Less than half of the constituents in the school districts analyzed are white, while over two-thirds of school board members are white.
These findings highlight a significant disparity between the demographic makeup of local government officials and the populations they represent. Local elected officials have a substantial impact on the lives of millions of residents, making it crucial for representation to be more reflective of the communities they serve. While the study does not provide a definitive explanation for the underrepresentation, it raises concerns about the lack of diversity in local government and its implications for equitable policy-making.
