Organizing and Interest Groups in the Electoral Process

Which is more effective in this scenario: The state legislature has just passed a law changing the minimum age requirement to get a driver’s license in the state of South Dakota to the age of 21 years old. Governor Noem is debating whether to sign the bill into law, but has first agreed to hear input from South Dakotans before making his decision. Discuss the following with your partner: Which is more effective in this scenario: Working individually, or in groups? Who can you get to join your cause? Who might support this law? Why? Who might oppose this law? Why? What things can your group do to convince the Governor to agree with you? Who does this decision affect? In what ways does it affect them? Do you support or oppose this law? What can you personally do to convince Governor Noem to agree with you?

Interest Groups Promote specific issues/interests to public and policymakers to support their agenda Examples: NRA: 2nd Amendment Rights ACLU: Protection of Civil Liberties National Organization for Marriage

Effectiveness Factors that determine effectiveness: Size: National, State, Local AFL-CIO v. Local Plumbers Membership: Strength in numbers How committed to the cause? Organization: Leadership Occupy Wall Street v. Tea Party Money: Funding for staff and campaigns Advertisements Side Discussion: What is an issue/cause you care deeply about? How willing would you be to volunteer for that cause? How willing would you be to donate money to that cause?

Tasks Lobbying: Meeting with policymakers to promote interests Earmarks – specific amendments or funding of bills for special projects Electioneering: Supporting candidates, working in elections (**Political Action Committee, or PAC) Litigating: Taking issues to court Ex: ACLU representing plaintiffs in civil liberties cases Public Awareness: inform public about issues Ex: Yulin Festival, NSA, Climate Change

Interest Groups in Elections (PACs) Political Action Committees (PAC): the electioneering arm of interest groups Interest groups survey candidates Questionnaires, Interviews, Voting Record Endorsement: Official public statement of support Press Conference, Email to supporters Encourages membership to support candidate Voter Contact Donations to campaign Political Advertisements

Interest Groups in Elections (PACs) The “issue” endorsement: Promote an issue INSTEAD of a candidate OR Attack a candidate who does not support interests Paid for by NEXTGEN Climate Action Committee

Checkpoint What kind of special interests do you think are represented in SD? What must a candidate do to gain support from an interest group? How do interest groups influence the outcomes of the SD Governor election?

Research Interest Groups American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Americans For Prosperity AFL-CIO AARP Chamber of Commerce Dakota Rural Action Farm Bureau SD Citizens for Liberty National Rifle Association (NRA) NARAL In your groups, choose an interest group to research. Answer the following for your assigned group: When were they founded, and by who? What issue(s) are they involved in? What is their position on this issue(s)? What kind of people do you think this group appeals to? How effective are they? Remember the factors of an effective interest group