The Results Are In: Voters Hate Data Centers
From high-profile Senate races to local rezoning initiatives, data centers and their supporters did miserably on the ballot in the 2026 midterms.
Voters in the recent midterms strongly expressed their opposition to data centers, with nearly a quarter of all voters stating they were "crucial" to their decision. The backlash against the industry was evident in several races where candidates opposing data centers won, particularly in governor's mansions in Georgia and Texas.
Democrats Keisha Lance Bottoms and Gina Hinojosa, who campaigned on increased regulations and moratoriums, were elected, while incumbent Republicans faced losses. The backlash also extended to the Republican Party, as many of Donald Trump's MAGA supporters disagreed with his support for AI companies and data centers. Despite heavy funding from the AI and data center industries, candidates with stricter data center regulations still managed to secure wins.
Ballot measures in nine states saw voters reject future construction plans, approve moratoriums, and call for greater accountability. Tech companies are now reportedly working with environmental groups to address the backlash.
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