{
  "id": 18553354,
  "title": "Exit polls show data centers weren't winners in 2026 elections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/exit-polls-show-data-centers-werent-winners-in-2026-elections",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T19:17:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CBS News",
    "slug": "cbs-news",
    "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/exit-polls-data-centers-2026-election/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the 2026 midterm elections, AI data centers emerged as a significant issue for a majority of voters, though not the top concern. CBS News exit polls revealed that the majority of voters, both Democrats and Republicans, opposed the construction of new data centers in their communities. This opposition proved advantageous for Democratic candidates, who generally advocated against data centers, while most self-identified Republicans also expressed resistance to new data centers in their area, despite their overall voting for Republican candidates. The opposition to data centers is closely linked to voters' views on AI in general, with those who believe AI poses more harm than good opposing data centers in their neighborhoods. Conversely, voters who view AI positively are more accepting of data centers. Several candidates, including Democratic Sen.-elect Sherrod Brown in Ohio and Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa in Texas, incorporated data center issues into their campaigns, driven by voter sentiments. A CBS News poll conducted earlier this year found that public skepticism about data centers was driven by concerns over environmental and resource impacts, although some believed the centers could bring economic benefits through increased local tax revenue. The CBS News exit poll gathered input from thousands of voters across the country at polling stations on Election Day and in the weeks preceding the election.",
  "summary": "Big majorities of 2026 election voters opposed the building of data centers in their community.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}