If you are able to see "under the hood", you will find that there are 10 different factions with approval ratings. Many of the choices (especially ones that appear to be flavor) influence these factions, and it seems that Electors belong to certain factions, and have their approval rating changed by your approval with their faction(s).
There are, of course, also choices that trigger new and interesting events, and many choices that are reflected in the endings.