School Board Election Structure and Democratic Representation

Abstract

Policies governing the organization and timing of school elections affect democratic representation in school decision making. Some argue that school board elections should be consolidated with general municipal elections on the grounds that this will increase participation and representation, but little empirical work addresses the consequences of policy change. This article presents analyses of voter representation and school decision making in consolidated and special school elections in four Michigan cities. These analyses indicate that consolidating elections may lead to increased voter turnout and to changes in the composition of the voting population.