Data centers become a U.S. midterm issue
Data centers and AI became a U.S. midterm issue, with voters approving local moratoriums in at least 40 jurisdictions across 10 states. Democrats now control Congress, and Meta says new U.S. builds will be harder.
IllustrationThe story so far
Before the November 3 midterms, data centers and AI emerged as a ballot-box issue. Data Center Watch found almost $200 billion in projects delayed, stalled or blocked in the first half of 2026 because of political and community opposition. Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, New York and Virginia were considering guardrails and transparency, while Virginia had hundreds of new data centers planned.
Exit polls found AI and data center expansion ranked last among five voter priorities, though 56 percent called it decisive or important. Voters approved nearly every data center moratorium placed on the ballot, with measures in at least 40 jurisdictions across 10 states. In Ohio, at least 14 municipalities passed bans or restrictions, and Maine had eight municipalities pass temporary moratoriums.
Democrats took control of Congress after winning key legislative and governor races, setting up possible new limits on where AI data centers are built. Elected officials in Texas, Georgia and Ohio pledged moratoria or greater community input. Meta President Dina Powell McCormick said the results make U.S. builds harder and that every hyperscaler is considering whether to build outside the United States. Meta has data centers in 23 states and plans five projects of one gigawatt or more.
Latest updates
6 updates · newest first- 5 NovOfficial statement
Meta says data center builds will be harder after midterms
Meta President Dina Powell McCormick said the midterm results make it harder to build data centers in the United States, after Democrats won key legislative and governor races. She said every hyperscaler is now considering whether to build outside the US, and that starting new US build-outs today will be very challenging. Meta has data centers in 23 states and plans five projects of one gigawatt or more, including one in Texas.
TechCrunch ↗
Gizmodo ↗
- 5 NovNew development
Midterm wins set up data center fight as AI anger grows
Democratic control of Congress after the November 3 midterms could bring new limits on where AI data centers are built and how much local communities can say. An NBC exit poll found almost 80 percent of respondents opposed data centers in their neighborhoods and almost 60 percent called them a crucial or major factor in their vote. Ohio, where OpenAI has eyed a $500 billion facility, saw a county ban and statewide backlash.
- 5 NovNew development
US voters reject data centers in midterm ballot measures
US voters approved nearly every data center moratorium placed on the ballot in Tuesday's midterms, with measures in at least 40 jurisdictions across 10 states. In Ohio, at least 14 municipalities passed bans or restrictions, while Maine had eight municipalities pass temporary moratoriums. Elected officials in Texas, Georgia and Ohio also pledged moratoria or greater community input, as Democrats took control of Congress.
The Guardian ↗
- 4 NovNew development
Data center backlash hits midterms as voters pass local restrictions
Data center developers face a more restrictive building environment after US voters elected candidates favoring moratoriums and passed local ballot measures restricting expansion. NBC News found 76 percent of voters opposed data centers in their communities, and 33 of 45 local measures reported by Wednesday would restrict development. Texas Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa and Georgia Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms support moratoriums.
The Verge ↗
Wired ↗
- 4 NovNew development
Exit polls rank AI last among voter priorities in 2026 U.S. midterms
NBC News and SSRS exit polls found AI and data center expansion ranked last among five voter priorities in the 2026 U.S. midterms. 56 percent of respondents called it a decisive or important factor, behind government corruption at 90 percent, cost of living at 89 percent, the war in Iran at 74 percent and immigration enforcement at 73 percent. The issue trailed every other topic by a wide margin despite recent growth in public interest.
The Decoder ↗
- 1 NovNew development
Data centers and AI become midterm issue as $200B in projects face opposition
Data centers and AI are now a ballot-box issue in the midterms, with a Brooklyn event showing it dominating conversation five days before November 3. Data Center Watch found almost $200 billion in projects delayed, stalled or blocked in the first half of 2026 from political and community opposition. Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, New York and Virginia are considering guardrails and transparency, while Virginia has hundreds of new data centers planned.