Map Shows How Data Center Measures Fared Across 10 States

On November 3, data center measures appeared on 41 local ballot measures across the United States, according to Newsweek's mapping. Ohio saw the most of these measures, with 21 in total, making it challenging for developers to secure approval in those communities. Voters in several Ohio towns, including Conneaut, Defiance, Oregon, and Sunbury, voted for bans on data centers that consume more than 25 megawatts of power, while others like Granville, Hubbard, Urbana, Upper Sandusky, and Piqua approved outright bans.

Statewide, 71% of Ohioans supported a temporary ban on new data center construction, according to a recent Bowling Green State University poll. Ohio currently hosts over 200 operational data centers, ranking it fifth in the U.S. for the number of data center projects.

Illinois, with more than 200 operational data centers, also saw seven measures on the ballot. All vote tallies in the state went against data center development, with communities approving moratoriums on large-scale data centers, restrictions, rejecting advisory questions supporting AI centers, or rejecting measures to permit new facilities.

One community in California banned data centers, while another in Florida prohibited new facilities. In Nevada, a proposal to allow data centers in the Eldorado Valley Transfer Area was rejected.

Other states such as New Jersey and Wisconsin also had opposing measures. In New Jersey, one community opposed an advisory question backing the centers, while a measure passed in Wisconsin requiring voter approval for any development costing over $450 million. In North Dakota, voters in Harwood rejected extra review requirements for industrial developments, effectively minimizing additional layers of approval for new projects.