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.