Nowhere in the Deep South has the 1965 Voting Rights Act had a headier effect than in Alabama. In the seven months since its passage, Negro registrants in the state have doubled (to 221,329), and are expected to increase even further. In the May 3 Democratic primary, a dozen Alabama Negroes are running for the lily-white state legislature, 50 others for local office.
With Negroes now enjoying virtually equal registration strength in ten black-belt counties, black candidates hope to win up to 30 primary contests. In a number of races, though, civil rights leaders prefer to manipulate the balance of power. One...
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