Data centers lost the 2026 midterms, as voters backed limits on new builds

Data centers lost the 2026 midterms, as voters backed limits on new builds

Data centers lost the 2026 midterms, as voters backed limits on new builds

Data center developers face a much tougher building climate after the 2026 midterm elections, with voters across the United States backing candidates and ballot measures that restrict new projects. An NBC News Election Day poll found 76 percent of voters opposed data centers in their communities, and 33 of 45 local ballot measures are set to limit development. Several Ohio cities voted to ban data centers above 25 megawatts, while winners such as Texas governor-elect Gina Hinojosa and Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed support moratoriums. The result is a blow to a central pillar of the AI boom, though some pro-development candidates, including Florida governor-elect Byron Donalds, still won.

Data center developers face a much tougher building climate after the 2026 midterm elections, with voters across the United States backing candidates and ballot measures that restrict new projects. An NBC News Election Day poll found 76 percent of voters opposed data centers in their communities, and 33 of 45 local ballot measures are set to limit development. Several Ohio cities voted to ban data centers above 25 megawatts, while winners such as Texas governor-elect Gina Hinojosa and Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed support moratoriums. The result is a blow to a central pillar of the AI boom, though some pro-development candidates, including Florida governor-elect Byron Donalds, still won.

Data center developers face a much tougher building climate after the 2026 midterm elections, with voters across the United States backing candidates and ballot measures that restrict new projects. An NBC News Election Day poll found 76 percent of voters opposed data centers in their communities, and 33 of 45 local ballot measures are set to limit development. Several Ohio cities voted to ban data centers above 25 megawatts, while winners such as Texas governor-elect Gina Hinojosa and Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed support moratoriums. The result is a blow to a central pillar of the AI boom, though some pro-development candidates, including Florida governor-elect Byron Donalds, still won.