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Wednesday, May 28 at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 29 at 6 p.m. Television rebroadcasts: |
Twenty years have passed since two African-American activists filed a federal lawsuit and changed the way Dallas elects its city officials. At issue was the election of some city council members to “at large” seats, in which all voters could cast their ballots. The lawsuit contended that the cost of campaigning city-wide diluted minority voting strength. Federal Judge Jerry Buchmeyer agreed and ordered elections to be held under an all single-member district system.
KERA examines the impact of Roy Williams and Marvin Crenshaw v. The City of Dallas in an all-new program, Sharing the Power: A Voter’s Voice Special.
In Sharing the Power, KERA Morning Edition Host Sam Baker interviews Williams and Crenshaw about the basis for the lawsuit and the years of legal maneuvering required to see it through. He also talks with community leaders who shaped the voting rights debate. A panel of analysts will discuss the changes that have taken place since the federal court ruling, the consequences of moving to single-member districts and whether minorities are more equitably served in the City of Dallas since the ruling. The program also takes a look at the role of single member districts in other North Texas communities.
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More KERA coverage KERA has produced a series of radio reports on this subject to air during Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Click the links below to read/hear the stories once they have aired.
Videos Scroll down the playlist and click on a name to watch the interview. For full-screen video, click the target icon in the bottom right corner of the video player window:
Information and Links Sharing the Power panelist profiles Dallas City Council (official site) |
Council District Maps Dallas 8-3 Plan Dallas 14-1 Plan Dallas 10-4-1 Plan
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