Voters reject data centers in nearly 50 ballot initiatives, dealing setback to AI backers

Voters rejected AI data centers in nearly 50 ballot initiatives during the midterm elections, delivering a major setback to tech leaders like Elon Musk who supported the buildout. The results were counted as of Wednesday afternoon. At least 50 measures on data centers were considered nationwide, with voters opposing them in 47 cases and three outcomes pending. The only favorable result was in Harwood, ND, where a measure adding review requirements failed. Ohio saw the largest rebuke with 21 measures, tied to Democrat Sherrod Brown's successful Senate campaign. The rejections coincided with a Democratic sweep of Congress and the Texas governorship, with Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa backing a moratorium on data centers. Policy analysts suggest the results may push the 120th Congress toward regulation, while tech CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg and Sam Altman face scrutiny. Musk joked about space-based centers, and Rep. Greg Casar called for AI executives to testify under oath.