1	Interest Groups and the American Political System Mark J. Rozell and Clyde Wilcox Interest groups' high level of involvement in American elections stems, in part, from distinctive characteristics of American government, political parties, and elections. First, governmental decision making offers multiple incentives and opportunities for influencing policy.
2	Characteristics of Parties and Elections Increase Group Power Second, the major U.S. parties are permeable to outside interests, enabling interest group activists to obtain powerful positions within local, state, and national party organizations. Third, American elections are unique: they are much more frequent than those of most other Western democracies, and far smaller percentages of citizens vote. Moreover, American elections are candidate centered: candidates must decide to run, raise their own funds, assemble their own coalitions, and reach voters with carefully targeted messages—all of which occurs outside the formal party structure.
3	Interest Groups and Federalism At the same time that our federal system creates incentives for interest group involvement, it also places demands on interest groups, which must work within the system in order to successfully influence policy. First, because policy can be made at the national, state, and local levels, interest groups are generally called upon to be active at all three levels.
4	Group Participation in State and Local Elections Second, interest groups are well aware that local councils and state legislatures constitute a “pipeline” of potential candidates for the House of Representatives. Thus, they often participate in state and local races with the intention of cultivating arid training potential candidates for national office.
5	Interest Groups and the Separation of Powers The division of powers between the executive and legislative branches means that interest groups must try to cultivate access to both the president and Congress. Given that the executive and legislative branches have different constituencies, timetables, and interests, this is a difficult enough task, but it has been made even more complex during the past forty years because the two branches have often been under the control of different parties.
6	Congressmen Independent Actors Because members of Congress are not bound to vote for the policies of party leaders but are independent actors, even those of the minority party are in a position to help or hurt an interest group's policy agenda. Any member of the House or Senate can introduce a bill drafted in consultation with an interest group and offer amendments in committee or on the floor to make the bill more palatable to interest groups. When a bill is up for a vote, members of Congress may vote however they choose. In the Senate, any member can put a “hold” on a bill, delaying a vote perhaps indefinitely
7	Groups in Congressional Elections [I]nterest groups often bolster their lobbying efforts by engaging in electoral activities. By helping members of Congress win elections, interest groups hope to establish relationships with senators and representatives and to get some return on their investment in the form of public policy actions. On occasion, relationships cultivated through electoral activity enable interest groups to build coalitions in support of their policy positions, even over the objections of party leaders.
8	Distributive Policies Favor Groups The U.S. government is perhaps more willing than that of many other countries to distribute particularistic economic benefits to interest groups. Appropriations, tax, and even substantive bills such as highway bills are generally filled with specific language benefiting one or more companies or interest groups. Corporations get government contracts, special tax provisions, and exemptions from regulations (or, more commonly, delays in implementing regulations), all of which can affect their profits.
9	Role of the Bureaucracy Members of Congress and occasionally even presidents intercede with the bureaucracy in an attempt to win favorable treatment for particular groups. The opportunity to obtain specific economic benefits is yet another incentive for interest groups to develop close relationships with policy makers—and one important way to do so is through electoral politics.
10	Characteristics of American Elections In the United States, in contrast, elections are held almost continuously. . . .Because members of the House of Representatives stand for election every two years, representatives are constantly running for reelection—raising money, addressing voters, refining their images and their messages. And their challengers sometimes begin campaigning more than a year before the election. Senators, who are elected for six-year terms, generally campaign for at least two years, and some focus on fund raising throughout their terms
11	Candidate Centered Elections Another distinctive characteristic of American elections is that they are candidate centered. . . .The difficulties of running a candidate-centered campaign render interest groups obvious allies. Interest groups can recruit candidates and encourge them to run, help finance their campaigns, and assist them in selecting campaign themes. By providing access to special communication channels such as newsletters and group gatherings, interest groups can also help candidates reach interest group members effectively and inexpensively
12	Low Voter Turnout and Winner Take All Elections A third unique characteristic of American elections is the low rate of voter turnout. . . .Low levels of voter turnout create opportunities for organized groups to greatly influence election outcomes. Finally, American elections are nearly always winner-take-all contests in single-member districts[creating a strong] incentive for interest groups to participate in elections. [A small shift in votes can result in a major change in party power in government.]