"The major problem that motivated this study is the fact the Negro in Houston, 1969 does not have any real political power although the potential for such power exists. The major purpose of this study is to seek answers to the following questions. First does the Houston Negro have any real political potential under the present system; if he does, what can he do with it? Second, why are there such wide gaps between the number of Negroes who are eligible to vote and the number that registered to vote and between those who registered and those who actually voted in Houston? The third question is in what election has the Houston Negro demonstrated his greatest political interest and why? And finally, is the politics of Houston based on race or economics?" -- leaf v.