IMPACT OF NEGRO MIGRATION ON THE ELECTORAL GEOGRAPHY OF FLINT, MICHIGAN, 1932–1962: A CARTOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS¹

Abstract

ABSTRACT Between 1932 and 1962 the population of Flint, Michigan increased chiefly because of Negro in-migration. This in-migration simultaneously produced a considerable expansion of Negro neighborhoods. Detailed map overlays which compare the location of Flint's growing Negro districts with the changing distribution of party strongholds show Negro loyalties shifting from strongly Republican in 1932 to strongly Democratic by 1950, but at different rates in different parts of the city. Similar maps reflect abrupt changes in the voting pattern of districts where Negroes replaced a formerly white population. Despite certain limitations, detailed electoral maps prove to be economical and reliable research tools, not only for analyzing voter behavior, but also for identifying and solving a variety of problems in human geography.