Voters in 10 U.S. states faced 41 local ballot measures tied to data center development on November 3, 2026. The measures put the expansion of AI computing facilities before communities debating their use of land, water, and electricity.
41 measures across 10 states
According to Ballotpedia, 28 of the measures would limit data center growth through bans, moratoriums, or new requirements. The other 13 would support development through zoning changes or other local policies. Ohio had 21 measures, more than any other state.
The measures included proposed bans, temporary pauses, zoning changes, voter approval requirements, and rules tied to land, water, and power use. Together, they showed how state and local governments are debating the future of data center construction.
Local voters push back
After the election, Axios reported that voters had approved dozens of data center moratoriums and elected candidates who favor slowing development, including in Texas. The results made data center policy a significant local political issue.
The measures could affect proposed facilities, tax agreements, zoning decisions, and the pace of new construction. They also give local governments more influence over projects that require approval in specific communities.
Electricity demand drives debate
The conflict is partly about the cost of powering AI. A Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report estimates that U.S. data centers could use 11.8% of the nation’s electricity by 2030, with scenarios ranging from 9.5% to 15.3%.
That forecast helps explain why residents and officials are debating how data center growth should be managed, alongside questions about zoning, taxes, and project approvals.
References
- Vogel, M. (2026, November 3). Voters in ten states will vote on data center-related ballot measures November 3. Ballotpedia News. https://news.ballotpedia.org/2026/11/03/voters-in-ten-states-will-vote-on-data-center-related-ballot-measures-november-3/
- Axios. (2026, November 4). Voters deliver “AI earthquake,” rebuking tech and billionaires. Axios. https://www.axios.com/2026/11/04/ai-data-center-election-slowdown
- Smith, S. J., Hubbard, A., Newkirk, A., Ganeshalingam, M., Holecek, B., Sartor, D. A., Mills, M., & Shehabi, A. (2026, June). United States Data Center Energy Usage Report: 2025 Update. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. https://eta-publications.lbl.gov/publications/united-states-data-center-energy-2025