Interest groups are not directly involved in electoral contests. Their purpose is mainly to influence public policy, sometimes including supporting parties and candidates in elections who are favorable to the interests of their members or supporters. These groups may be interested only in a particular issue, or in the success of a candidate or political party sharing their views more generally. Such groups vary in size, resources, power and objectives, but all use the same methods to influence public opinion and promote their position—including lobbying, campaigning, advertising through the mass media, and providing information to candidates, lawmakers and policy makers.

This section discusses interest groups that represent particular social, economic or ideological interests. Interest groups that act on behalf of the broader public interests are discussed under Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO).

Interest groups may play a positive role in maintaining election integrity since they monitor the process to ensure that opposing interests do not receive preferential treatment. However, the amount of money that certain interest groups expend to sway public opinion and political preferences raises integrity issues. These are discussed in greater depth in the discussion of Campaign Financing.

The amount of money spent and how it is directed raises concerns that through their various activities interest groups are attempting to buy influence and obtain special treatment. As a result, many countries require interest groups to register as public associations and disclose their overall activities and spending.  Interest groups are not usually required, however, to register with electoral authorities – but only the relevant tax authorities and civil organization registrars. 

Organized interest groups that are active in supporting candidates or parties in an election, especially through making financial contributions, can be required to disclose these as part of election-related financial reporting.  Consideration might be given to requiring interest groups that are politically active, especially during elections, to provide further information about their activities, such as advertising campaigns – especially if these are carried out in support of, or even in concert with, election participants. 

In the United States, it has proven difficult to track or control such efforts by various interest groups, partly due to disagreements at the bipartisan Federal Election Commission.  Another issue has been the US Supreme Court’s interpretation of such activities by interest groups as constitutionally-protected free speech.  But the Court has been careful to keep open the option of requiring disclosure and reporting of the activities of interest groups with respect to elections, including the amounts of their expenditures.[1]

It could be possible, however, to bring interest groups within the sphere of electoral management, including through developing suitable codes of conduct.  To accomplish this would probably require a major effort by civil society.