Supported by

You Are Here

How Politicians Can Use Big Data to Win Elections

Dec 05, 2017 | 14 videos
Video by The Atlantic

Politicians have been redrawing districts to benefit their own political parties—a tactic known as gerrymandering—since the 1970s. But recently, technology has enabled politicians to choose their voters more strategically than ever before. In the video above, The Atlantic writer Vann R. Newkirk II explains how big data can help win elections—and why Pennsylvania and Maryland have already faced lawsuits over gerrymandering technology.


For more, read Newkirk’s article, “How Redistricting Became a Technological Arms Race.”


We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to [email protected].

Authors: Vann R. Newkirk II, Alice Roth, Atthar Mirza, Tynesha Foreman

About This Series

The incredible science behind everyday life