Sam Hayes and Assistant Prof. Michael Hartney's research published in the American Political Science Review found that Americans tend to be far more consumed with national politics than with local politics.

The study found that local governments formed in "off-cycle" years (like 2021) are less responsive to the majority's preferences and more responsive instead to organized interest groups, particularly when the interest groups' desires oppose those of the masses.

This may occur, for example, where developers want more higher-density housing, more commercial development and fewer green spaces than citizens or in conservative locations, where public employees generally desire more spending on salaries than residents. The study was also co-authored by Adam M. Dynes of Brigham Young University.