Interest Groups

What is an interest group

An association of people who hold similar views or goals and seek to influence public policy from the outside.

Interest Groups

Endorse and donate to candidates but do not run their own candidates for office.

Poltical parties

Do run candidates for office to gain direct control of the government.

Constitutional bases

• Interest groups are protected by the 1st Amendment (Freedom of Speech and Assembly).

Lobbying

Attempting to influence legislation through direct communication with legislators or government officials.

Electioneering

Participating in the election process

Grassroot efforts

Encouraging ordinary citizens (the "roots") to put pressure on officials.

litigation

Using the court system to change policy through lawsuits.

Amicus Curiae Brief

Known as "friend of the court" briefs; these are documents submitted by interest groups to a court case they aren't officially a part of to provide information or arguments that might affect the final decision.

PAC

An interest group’s official fundraising arm that can donate directly to a candidate's campaign but has strict limits on how much it can give.

Super PAC

An organization that can raise and spend unlimited money for indirect influence (like television ads).

Citizens United v. FEC:

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled interest group spending is a form of free speech and therefore cannot be limited by the government.

FEC (Federal Election Commission)

The government agency responsible for overseeing and enforcing laws that limit interest group influence over elections.