Negro Political Participation Study, 1961-1962

This study was designed to investigate patterns of political participation among adult Blacks in the South. All interviews were taken in the former confederate states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Along with a Black adults sample (Part 2), a sample of White adults (Part 3) was included as a control group for comparison and a sample of Black students (Part 1) was interviewed with an aim to projecting trends in participation patterns. Variables ascertained voting behavior, political discussion, degree of political organizational activity, participation in demonstrations, and communication with public officials as modes of political participation. Respondents' views on Black leadership, effectiveness of Black organizations, attitudes of White leaders and officials, the effect of electoral laws on Black participation, perceptions of the major parties, party identification, and feelings on race relations were also assessed. The questions asked of both adult samples are identical, and the data may be used for comparative purposes. Demographic data include age, sex, level of education, primary and secondary occupations, religious preference, and family income.