Research shows that the influence of elections on leaders' public policy decisions is

The public policies of the leaders are influenced by the progress of the elections, as the campaign proceeds: giving an example, if the candidate of a party is losing in the elections, or the demands of the voters are inclined toward certain preferences, the party and the leader must orient their public policies (which are focused on the voters directly) towards the direction that the voters request, in order to have a positive voting result. A current example would be the policy regarding the possible deportation of illegal immigrants, depending on the party (Democrat or Republican) they will focus in favor, or against that issue, and this will be noticed in the campaigns.

Elections have great influence on leaders policy decisions once elected. Depending on the result of the election the leader may move into a more conciliatory direction, due to fear of loosing independents and non-base voters. On the other hand, if a leader's core constituency turn out for an election it may push the leaders policy decisions further in the direction of the aforementioned core constituency. This effect has been prevalent in U. S. politics.