Records in the Cases of McMillan vs. Escambia County and Jenkins vs. Pensacola before the United States District Court (Florida: Northern District)
Scope and Content
The collection consists of materials relating to two consolidated cases, McMillan vs. Escambia County and Jenkins vs. Pensacola, before the U.S. District Court in Florida. Quantitative data constitutes the bulk of the collection, including registered voters (by count) of Florida from 1938-1976, miscellaneous worksheets, and the Escambia County Democratic and Republican primaries/general election results from 1956-1976. Also included in the collection are precinct maps, correspondence and legal documents such as the depositions of expert witnesses Dr. David Curry (Sociology) and Dr. Charles Cottrell (Political Science). The materials were collected by Dr. Manning J. Dauer, and there is one folder of correspondence documenting his involvement with the case.
Dates
- Creation: 1956-1978
Access
The collection is open for research.
Biographical/Historical Note
The cases of McMillan vs. Escambia County and Jenkins vs. Pensacola, Florida, were originally filed independently in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. The first, brought by Henry McMillan and others, was against the Escambia County Board of Commissioners, the Superintendent of Elections, the School District of Escambia County, and the School Board of Escambia County. The second, brought by Elmer Jenkins and others, was against the City of Pensacola, the Pensacola City Council, and the elections supervisor. The two cases were filed March 18, 1977, and consolidated April 17, 1979.
In both cases the appellees represented African-American voters of Escambia County, Florida, and alleged that the at-large system for electing the five members of the Board of County Commissioners operated to "dilute" their voting strength. The U.S. District Court ruled that the at-large system used by the county discriminated against Black voters and had been retained at least in part for discriminatory purposes. The court concluded that the system violated rights under the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments and the Voting Rights Act. The court ordered that the five commissioners be elected from single-member districts.
Extent
1.25 Linear feet (3 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Correspondence and materials relating to two cases: McMillan vs. Escambia County, Florida, and Jenkins vs. Pensacola, Florida. Includes election results, precinct maps, depositions, memorandums and other resources for the cases.
Arrangement
The legal documents and correspondence relating to the cases are arranged chronologically from 1977-1978. The quantitative data, such as election results and voter counts, are arranged chronologically from 1956-1976.
Physical Location
University of Florida Smathers Library Building
Acquisition Information
The collection was donated by Dr. Manning J. Dauer.
Processing Notes
Additional files, including 'Closed' and 'Closed - Pending' files have not been arranged or described and currently are stored in an off-campus storage facility.
- Title
- A Guide to the Records in the Cases of McMillan vs. Escambia County and Jenkins vs. Pensacola before the United States District Court (Florida: Northern District)
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid created by Ian P. Gaffney
- Date
- April 2009
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755
special@uflib.ufl.edu