Voters back data centre limits in at least 38 US jurisdictions
Local measures passed almost everywhere on 3 November, and a television network poll found AI and data centres were a major or crucial factor for 56% of voters.
Source published · In the Daily Brief of 5 November 2026
Filed under AI policy, AI industry
The Washington Post counted at least 38 jurisdictions that rejected or restricted data centres. Engadget, citing the tracker Data Centers on the Ballot, reported 45 measures in 10 states early on Wednesday, with one defeat, in Harwood, North Dakota. The measures ranged from bans and moratoriums to limits on energy use and requirements for public approval.
Ohio held 21 measures across 18 municipalities, and at least 14 passed bans or restrictions, according to Fortune. The state already has 125 local moratoriums. Bloomberg reported that Democratic wins for governor, from Texas and Georgia to Ohio and Pennsylvania, will expose 50% of proposed AI data centres to more scrutiny.
Ben Thompson of Stratechery wrote that data centres were the most common topic of the campaign advertisements he saw in Wisconsin, with both parties attacking them. Reuters reported falls in Hut 8 of 23%, IREN of 11%, Core Scientific of 10% and Applied Digital of 7%.