Voters Reject AI Data Centers in Midterm Elections Across United States

Voters across the United States rejected the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence data centers on Tuesday, electing candidates who favor strict regulations and approving dozens of local ballot measures to curb new infrastructure projects.

NBC News exit polls found that seventy-six percent of voters opposed new data centers in their communities, while fifty-six percent said the facilities were a crucial factor in their votes for Congress.

Voters approved 33 ballot measures restricting data center development, according to an analysis by Redbud Consulting.

The backlash against data center construction threatens a major engine of American economic growth and a central pillar of the artificial intelligence industry.

"The revolt against data centers was one of the top issues of the 2026 election, and in a few years we will look back on it as just the early tremor of a much bigger AI earthquake upending American politics," said Greg Casar, the Texas Democratic congressman, in a statement.

In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Republican Greg Abbott in the gubernatorial race, becoming the state's first Democratic governor in over 30 years.

Hinojosa campaigned on a platform that included a temporary pause on data center construction to protect residents from high electricity bills and water costs.

Texas accounts for roughly a quarter of planned United States data center capacity, making the state a central focus for technology companies and investors.

Goldman Sachs economists estimated that Democratic victories at the state and local levels could lead to short-term moratoria affecting about 45 percent of planned American data center capacity.

Meanwhile, OpenAI announced a new policy blueprint on Thursday committing to solicit community input and pay the full cost of powering its facilities.

"What we're doing with this blueprint is really laying out the best lessons that we have learned and committing to applying them as they go forward," said Chris Lehane, the OpenAI Chief Global Affairs Officer, to reporters during a briefing.

Financial markets reacted quickly to the election results, with Wall Street analysts cutting price targets for bitcoin miners that have attempted to transition into artificial intelligence hosting.

Analysts at Bernstein noted that companies with already secured power capacity might benefit if new restrictions make grid connections more difficult for other developers.

It remains unclear how significantly the local votes and new state leadership will reduce national construction totals as technology companies attempt to meet soaring demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure.