National Political Organizations and Opportunities for Political Participation

• In Event: US Interest Group Tactics, Framing, and Influence

Abstract

Millions of Americans are signed up to receive communications from national political organizations like Everytown for Gun Safety and National Right to Life. What kinds of opportunities for political participation, if any, do these organizations offer their members? I computationally analyze more than 16,000 mass emails sent by 30 national American political organizations between 2018 and 2024. I find that these organizations continually encourage their bases to engage in concrete action. However, the specific kind of political engagement encouraged is shaped by partisan divides. Democrat-aligned organizations encourage formal electoral actions, like contacting representatives and donating to candidates. Meanwhile, Republican-aligned organizations encourage relational and informational activities, like talking to a neighbor or listening to a podcast. These findings highlight the role of political organizations in shaping opportunities for political participation and extend our understanding of the asymmetries between Republican-aligned and Democrat-aligned organizations.

Author

• Catharina O'Donnell