Voters in at least 10 states delivered a decisive rebuke to data center expansion in the 2026 midterm elections, approving 46 of 47 local ballot measures aimed at restricting or blocking the facilities. The results reflect growing public skepticism about the rapid buildout of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, with concerns centered on electricity costs, environmental impact, and resource strain.
Local Restrictions Overwhelmingly Pass
Ten states considered 41 local ballot measures related to data centers on Election Day, with 46 of the 47 decided measures passing by wide margins. In Ohio alone, 11 charter amendments restricting data centers were proposed, and all are expected to pass, with some securing over three-quarters of the vote. Oregon saw a similar dynamic, where a town with fewer than 20,000 residents rejected a data center proposal despite opponents raising $335,000, compared to just $4,600 from proponents.
Exit polling conducted by CBS News found that majorities in all Senate battleground states opposed having a data center built in their community. The opposition spanned urban, suburban, and rural areas, with voters citing environmental concerns and resource use as primary reasons. While some voters acknowledged potential benefits to local tax revenue, skepticism about AI’s broader societal impact remained a dominant factor.
Industry Pushback and Political Fallout
Tech companies and industry advocates spent heavily to counter the restrictions. In Ohio, opponents of data center limits contributed over $400,000 to defeat the measures, while in Oregon, pro-tech groups raised $335,000 in a single town. Despite these efforts, voters sided overwhelmingly with the restrictions, signaling a disconnect between corporate priorities and public sentiment.
Political candidates also weighed in on the issue. Democratic candidates like Sen.-elect Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa of Texas made data centers a central part of their campaigns, aligning with voter opposition. Meanwhile, Republican candidates faced mixed signals: while most GOP voters also opposed local data centers, they predominantly voted for Republican candidates overall.
Broader Implications for AI Infrastructure
The election results raise questions about the future of AI infrastructure development, particularly in states like Texas, which has been a hub for data center growth. President Donald Trump has previously advocated for federal support of data center expansion, framing it as a matter of economic competitiveness. However, the Democratic sweep in Texas has introduced uncertainty for planned investments, as new leadership may reassess existing policies.
Market reactions to the election outcomes also reflected concerns about AI infrastructure. U.S. stocks declined following the vote, with investors citing Wall Street’s growing unease over the rapid expansion of AI-related projects. Companies like Google have responded by implementing cost-cutting measures, including voluntary buyout programs for workers in multiple countries, to offset spending on AI initiatives.
Public Sentiment and Long-Term Trends
Polling earlier in the year indicated that public skepticism about data centers was driven by perceptions of negative environmental and resource impacts. However, views on AI’s societal benefits varied: voters who believed AI would help society were more open to local data centers, while those who saw AI as harmful were strongly opposed. The election results suggest that concerns about AI infrastructure are increasingly shaping local and national political debates, with voters prioritizing immediate community impacts over long-term economic benefits.