Representation and policy: Appointments of Mexican Americans to boards and commissions

• Published in: The Social science journal (Fort Collins) Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 259 - 265
• Main Authors: Polinard, J.L., Wrinkle, Robert D., Longoria, Tomás
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Fort Collins Elsevier Inc 01-01-1991; Taylor & Francis; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Appointments & personnel changes; Elections; Hispanic Americans; Municipal government; Social research
• ISSN: 0362-3319; 1873-5355
• DOI: 10.1016/0362-3319(91)90008-R

This article examines the relationship between change from at large to district systems in city council elections and the appointment of Mexican Americans to municipal boards and commissions. Our study found that form of governmental structure, i. e., at large or district, is not as important as (1) Mexican American percentage of the city council and (2) percentage of the city which is Mexican American. At the same time, form of government obviously is an intervening variable, producing more Mexican Americans on the city council. Structural reform of cities by means of VRA litigation has helped produce more Mexican American candidacies and more Mexican American winners and thus more Mexican American appointments to important boards and commissions.