Analyzes the impact of the Voting Rights Act on black voter registration in Mississippi. Concludes that the future of black politics is highly uncertain in Mississippi. If the movement on the part of whites to disenfranchise blacks succeeds, and intimidation at the polls continues, advances made in the early 1970s could be seriously undermined.…

Describes school district takeovers, primarily urban, by state and city governments. U.S. Supreme Court declined to rule on the legality of school takeovers in a Texas case. Based on 5-year experience with the City of Chicago's takeover of its public schools, positive school-reform outcomes remain illusive. (Contains 14 references.) (PKP)

Examined differences in amount of Black representation on Southern school boards when one or more objections to electoral district changes have been filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) under Section Five of the Voting Rights Act. Found that demographic and social data do not explain DOJ objections filed against the boards. (CJM)

The Voting Rights Act contains different provisions, some of which apply throughout the country and some of which apply only in those states and local jurisdictions that meet the conditions and tests spelled out in the act. This booklet explains the general provisions of the act, including the following: voter qualifications, civil suits and…