Ohio Ballot Board Approves Petition to Ban Large Data Centers

The Ohio Ballot Board unanimously approved a petition drive in early April 2026 for a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban the construction of new data centers utilizing more than 25 megawatts of electricity per month. The measure, submitted by the grassroots group Ohio Residents for Responsible Development, aims to protect farmland and natural resources from facilities organizers claim are cloaked in secrecy.

To place the amendment on the November ballot, volunteer organizers must collect more than 413,000 valid signatures from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties by July 1. Attorney General Dave Yost certified the petition's title and summary, though he noted his certification did not constitute an affirmation of the amendment's constitutionality.

Opposition to the ban comes from business stakeholders and trade unions. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce reported that the industry contributed an estimated $11.8 billion to the state's GDP and over $1 billion in tax revenue in 2024. Governor Mike DeWine expressed a nuanced position; while he acknowledged the industry's role in economic growth, he emphasized that data centers consume significant water and electricity and must pay their fair share to prevent rising electric rates for other consumers.

Concurrent with the petition effort, the Ohio General Assembly is establishing a commission to study the infrastructure and environmental impacts of the state's approximately 200 data centers. The initiative follows community opposition to developments in areas such as Mt. Orab and Wilmington.