In recent years, scholars have emphasized technical, political-neutral explanations of electoral reform at the local level. At the same time, studies have consistently found that modifying electoral systems significantly affects the level of minority political empowerment within US cities. In this paper we argue that changes to electoral structures are partially explained by racial/ethnic politics. Specifically, we hypothesize that reform is less likely to occur in racially homogenous cities. In racially diverse areas there exists an incentive for minorities and Anglos to modify the method of election. The relationship between diversity and electoral reform, however, is complicated by increased uncertainly about which racial/ethnic group will benefit from changes to electoral structures in evenly bifurcated cities. Therefore, we argue that attempts to modify electoral structures will be highest in areas where a change will produce a clear shift in the level of empowerment amongst different racial/ethnic groups. In order to test these hypotheses we rely on data from the ICMAâs 1996, 2002 and 2006 Form of Government Surveys. Our findings confirm that it is most likely to occur in racially diverse, but not evenly bifurcated, cities. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]