Final answer:
Special interest groups in the U.S. are well-organized bodies that influence public policy and politics, but they do not supervise voting on Election Day. They can, however, impact elections and policy through activities like financial contributions and lobbying. New voting laws have been criticized for lowering voter turnout by creating barriers to voting.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the United States political process, special interest groups are organizations composed of individuals sharing common interests or goals that seek to influence public policy and political outcomes. Although these groups are small in number compared to the overall population, they are often very well-organized, allowing them to exert a disproportionate effect on political outcomes. It's important to note, however, that their role does not extend to supervising voting on Election Day. Instead, this responsibility typically falls to state and local governments, which oversee the election process.
Special interest groups can influence campaigns and elections by providing financial support, endorsing candidates, mobilizing voters, engaging in lobbying activities, and bringing attention to specific issues. Through mechanisms like pork-barrel spending and logrolling, these groups can also influence legislative processes. Despite efforts to increase voter turnout, challenges remain due to new voting laws. Organizations, including the ACLU, have argued that recent changes, such as strict photo ID laws and proof of U.S. citizenship requirements, create barriers that potentially hinder the right to vote.