Of Boroughs, Boundaries and Bullwinkles: The Limitations of Single-Member Districts In A Multiracial Context

This essay examines the 1991 New York Ciity Council districting, with particular focus on the problems inherent in districting a multiracial city and the limitations of single member districts as a method of minority empowerment. The essay examines specific New York City Council districts that contain more than one minority group and concludes that electing council members from at-large, borough-wide districts by cumulative voting is a more effective districting strategy to structure majoritarian collective decision-making bodies that ensure meaningful minority interest representation and participation. .