Voters Reject AI Data Centers in 41 Ballot Measures Across US

Voters in Tuesday's midterm elections overwhelmingly rejected data center projects across the U.S., with 41 ballot measures resulting in bans or restrictions in multiple states, delivering a major rebuke to the tech industry and its Republican allies. The measures, concentrated heavily in Ohio, saw seven municipalities permanently ban new data centers and ten others limit their size or electrical footprint. Notable results included Defiance, Ohio prohibiting facilities over 25 megawatts, and Alhambra, California banning them entirely with 82% voter approval. The results follow a July Reuters poll showing only 14% of Americans support local data center construction. Elon Musk responded on X, suggesting space-based data centers, while some results remain undecided across four states.