Data centers lost the midterms
76 percent of voters oppose data centers in their communities, leading to new restrictions on AI development.
Data center developers are facing a more restrictive building environment after voters in the 2026 midterms supported candidates favoring moratoriums and ballot measures restricting data center expansion. Of voters polled, 76 percent said they opposed data centers in their communities. Dozens of local communities voted directly to restrict development through ballot measures.
Unconfirmed: It is hard to draw a direct line from data center backlash to the election of any of these candidates
- 76 percent of voters oppose data centers in their communities
- 45 local ballot measures on data centers
- 33 results restrict data center development
- Maine Town of Wells favors 180-day moratorium
- Ohio cities ban data centers over 25MW
From the original article
6 min read at theverge.com
Data center developers are poised to face a more restrictive building environment after voters across the country voted in candidates who favor moratoriums and ballot measures that put more obstacles on their expansion, delivering a stinging blow to a central pillar of the AI industry. Of voters polled by NBC News on Election Day, 76 percent said they opposed data centers in their communities.
By Lauren Feiner · theverge.com
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