U.S. Midterm Voters Reject Data Center Expansion
Voters across the United States rejected data center expansion in the 2026 midterms, citing concerns over electricity costs, water consumption, and land use.
Opposition to data center expansion emerged as a defining issue of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections. Voters across party lines rejected projects due to concerns over land use, water consumption, and rising electricity costs. In gubernatorial races, 32 of 34 winning candidates supported increased regulations or restrictions, with 12 favoring outright bans or moratoriums. Local referendums mirrored this trend, with restrictions approved in 44 of 45 completed elections.
Donald Trump advocated for the facilities as drivers of economic prosperity, arguing that communities should embrace them to avoid becoming poor. However, residents in states including Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Nevada, and Iowa pushed back. In Virginia, utility providers have already cut power to data centers to preserve residential supply, while residents in Hobart, Indiana, held heated public meetings to oppose new projects.
The backlash extends globally. Protesters breached a Microsoft data center site in Amsterdam, and activists in 15 countries called for a halt to major AI projects. The Finnish government ordered Google to stop construction at two sites, and the European Commission proposed new rules requiring the industry to disclose energy and water efficiency metrics. Industry leaders like Pado AI CEO Wannie Park noted that growth has often been driven by brute force without thoughtful planning.
