Politics
Voters approve local measures restricting data centers across multiple states
Ballotpedia and CNBC say voters sided against data centers in every local measure but one.
The short version
- Local voters approved ballot measures restricting data centers in multiple states on Tuesday.[The Washington Sun · CNBC]
- Tallies differ: Redbud Consulting counted 37 to 38 approved restrictions, while Ballotpedia listed 41 measures.[CBS News · CNBC · CBS News]
- Harwood, North Dakota, was the only exception, according to Ballotpedia and CNBC results.[CNBC]
- Results were preliminary as of Wednesday afternoon, so final certified totals remain unconfirmed.[CBS News · CBS News]
Key facts
- At least 38 towns and cities passed local ballot measures restricting data centers.[The Washington Sun]
- As of Wednesday afternoon, Redbud Consulting tallied 38 restricting measures across several states, including California and Illinois.[CBS News]
- A separate Redbud Consulting count gave 37 restricting measures and one permissive measure as of Wednesday afternoon.[CBS News]
- Ballotpedia counted 41 local measures in 10 states on Tuesday's ballot that would restrict data center construction in different ways.[CNBC]
- Voters sided against data centers in every measure except one in Harwood, North Dakota, according to Ballotpedia and CNBC.[CNBC]
What remains uncertain
- Tallies conflict across outlets: Redbud reported both 38 and 37 restricting measures, and Ballotpedia counted 41 measures in 10 states.[CBS News · CNBC · CBS News]
- Counts were preliminary as of Wednesday afternoon, and the verified reporting does not establish final certified totals.[CBS News · CBS News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Midterm Voters Reject Data CentersThe Washington Sun
- Voters rebuff data centers in every ballot measure except one during the 2026 midtermsCNBC
- Midterm elections could zap the data center buildout, experts sayCBS News - Top Stories
- Midterm election results will slow data center buildout, experts predictCBS News - US
- The Results Are In: Voters Hate Data CentersWired metered
- Musk, Crypto and Data Centers Are Among the Midterm’s Biggest Money LosersThe Washington Sun
- 2026 election results show widespread opposition to AI data centersScientific American metered
- After the midterms, a bigger clash over data centers could be comingTechCrunch
- Exit polls show data centers weren't winners in 2026 electionsCBS News - Top Stories
- Did a data centre revolt affect the US mid-term election results?BBC News - Top Stories
- How the US midterm elections reflected resistance to data centresAl Jazeera
- Several Democrats renew calls for datacenter pauses after blue waveThe Guardian - US
- AI data centers took a beating in the midterm elections. A reckoning may be ahead for tech giantsAssociated Press
- Texas was the new epicenter of the AI data center buildout. That might be kaput.MIT Technology Review metered
- Big Tech claims voters’ AI backlash is “anti-Trump” not “anti-tech”Ars Technica
- Datacenters were on the ballot. US voters rejected themThe Guardian - US
- Fears about an AI crackdown after midterms sparks a $2 trillion rout in tech stocksNPR - Top News
- Data centers took a beating in the midterm electionsABC News - Technology
- Data center builders met during the midterms. Here's what they said.Business Insider metered
- Will Democrats Rein in Big Tech? It Starts With Privacy and Data CentersCNET
- Data center backlash fuels votes for change, stock market swingCBS News - Top Stories
- Data centers are unpopular — and a key motor of economic growthCBS News - US