Americans Voted to Curb Data Centers, Rejecting Tech Billionaires' Agenda

Americans voted to restrict data center construction in at least 38 jurisdictions, rejecting the tech industry's expansion despite Silicon Valley billionaires spending over $600 million supporting Republican candidates. The votes signal growing public distrust of AI infrastructure. A Pew Research Center survey found 54% of Americans view data centers as harmful to the environment, up from 39% in January, with half citing negative effects on household energy costs. In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa won the gubernatorial race after promising to halt new data centers. An NBC exit poll showed 56% of voters called AI and data centers a major or crucial factor in their congressional vote. The opposition reflects broader concerns about tech billionaires' political influence, with Elon Musk alone contributing over $470 million this cycle.