"Newbern had not held an election "for decades." Instead, "the office of mayor was 'inherited' by a hand-picked successor," and that mayor then chose town council members, again without an election. All prior mayors have been White residents, the lawsuit said, even though about 85% of Newbern's population is Black. Only one Black person has ever served on the town council. "Black man who says he was elected mayor of Alabama town alleges that White leaders are keeping him from position
Patrick Braxton said that the "minority White residents ... long accustomed to exercising total control over the government, refused to accept his election as mayor.www.cbsnews.com
I bet their books are fascinating reading.