Voters approve data center restrictions in 41 local referendums
Local opposition to AI infrastructure drove the passage of 41 ballot measures, primarily in Ohio. The results signal a growing demand for community consultation and stricter regulations on data center construction.
Data center construction emerged as a pivotal issue in the 2026 midterms, with 41 down-ballot proposals related to the facilities expected to pass across the country. In the 37 cases where results are currently available, opposition to the projects has prevailed. Outcomes vary, including moratoriums or mandatory consultation requirements for administrations, rather than outright bans. The largest vote took place in Bloomington, Illinois, where over 20,000 people voted for a consultation mandate. The closest vote was 55% to 45%, while many others saw more than two-thirds of voters opposing the projects.
A Pew Research poll from early October showed 61% of voters disliked candidates supporting local data centers, with 75% of Democrat supporters and 44% of Republican supporters holding this view. NBC News exit polling found 56% of voters cited data centers as a crucial or major factor in their vote, though this ranked lower than issues like government corruption and cost of living. In Ohio, 46 new data center projects totaling 16 gigawatts are planned, including Meta’s Prometheus facility and an OpenAI campus in Pike County planned for 10 gigawatts. In Texas, Governor Abbott halted new permitting in September when the state had over 470 gigawatts of new proposals, roughly three times the current grid capacity. Brad Carson of Americans for Responsible Innovation described the election results as an "AI earthquake" signaling a demand for rules. Public criticism has expanded beyond previous concerns about electricity and water consumption to include complaints about constant noise from cooling systems affecting nearby residents.