Hacking the Electorate: How Campaigns Perceive Voters
by Eitan D. Hersh
Skimmed, mostly reading the intro, the conclusion, and bits of the chapters that jumped out at me. Very heavily academic; not that interesting as a non-academic reader, even though I literally work in political (union) data. Case against microtargeting was decent, the proposed solutions were weak. The book clearly wasn't written to make suggestions though, more to document what's currently happening and why.
Worthwhile tidbits: - that voters with more data on them get more campaign contact (and thus have noticeably higher turnout rates) - that Hersh mostly focuses on Dem data because the GOP wouldn't talk to him; he provides a couple ideas about why, but that he's an academic seems most likely. - census and other public records as campaign tools and the feedback loops and bad incentives therein (I had forgotten that DC Mayor Gray got investigated for obtaining public housing records and merging them into his campaign database)
Appreciate the DCPL for having this. Gotta get it returned now. :)