AI Barely Drove Votes. Voters Still Wanted a Crackdown.
Summary
Voters opposed data center development in nearly all of 41 local ballot-measure contests during the 2026 midterms, though polling found that AI rarely drove their votes. Polling and campaign advisers said voters also connected data centers with concerns about control, jobs, electricity costs, water use and technology companies’ influence.Key Facts
- Voters approved 27 local measures restricting data center development or expressing opposition to it.
- Voters rejected 13 proposals that would have supported or facilitated data center construction.
- In Harwood, North Dakota, voters rejected a proposed review requirement affecting data centers and other developments.
- Cygnal founder Brent Buchanan said AI ranked last among factors that drove respondents’ votes, at 1 percent.
- When asked which industries Democrats should crack down on, respondents named AI companies and data centers alongside health insurers and pharmaceutical companies.
- Voters raised concerns about electricity bills, water consumption and environmental effects.
- Campaign adviser Andrew Mamo said voters were frustrated by rapid changes and felt they had less control over the economy.
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