US voters reject datacenters in midterm ballot measures

US voters approved nearly every datacenter moratorium on Tuesday's midterm ballots, delivering a strong rebuke to the facilities that power artificial intelligence and online products. The measures appeared in at least 40 jurisdictions across 10 states. In Ohio alone, 14 municipalities passed bans or restrictions, including Sunbury where Amazon proposed a $2m project. Maine passed eight temporary moratoriums, while Emporia, Kansas approved a ban on high-impact datacenters. The notable exception was Hardwood, North Dakota, which rejected restrictions. Anti-datacenter sentiment has become bipartisan, with newly elected officials in Texas, Georgia, and Ohio pledging moratoriums. Analysts predict the pace of datacenter buildout will slow, particularly in Texas, which is expected to supply 25-30% of future capacity.