Voters Approve 40+ Measures to Slow or Ban Data Center Growth

Voters approved more than 40 local ballot measures to slow or ban data center growth during the Nov. 3 midterm election, reflecting widespread public opposition to AI infrastructure. Around 30 jurisdictions passed legislation to keep data centers out of their communities, with at least six more voting to halt planned projects. The measures, proposed in at least 50 state legislatures, included outright bans, zoning restrictions, and moratoriums. Ohio had 21 related ballot measures, the most of any state, with 14 municipalities passing bans or restrictions. California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, New Jersey, Nevada, and Wisconsin also saw restrictive votes, including a 10-year ban in El Dorado, Kansas, on high-impact centers using over 100,000 gallons of water daily. The results may slow AI infrastructure expansion, with Goldman Sachs estimating 45 percent of planned U.S. data center capacity could be affected. Tech stocks, including chip manufacturers Micron and Nvidia, trended down on Nov. 4. Texas’ new governor-elect, Gina Hinojosa, campaigned on data center moratoriums and taxes, adding pressure on the industry.