# Daily on Energy: How the data center ballot measures fared

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/daily-on-energy-how-the-data-center-ballot-measures-fared/
- Published: 2026-11-04T21:02:06+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T21:34:53+00:00
- Original publisher: Washington Examiner (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/daily-on-energy/4793023/daily-on-energy-how-the-data-center-ballot-measures-fared/
- Topics: Elections, Politics

## Key points

- Voters largely backed limits on data centre development.
- All 13 measures to facilitate development were on track to fail.
- Analysts put the permitting bill’s chance of passage at 25%.

## Summary

Voters across the United States backed measures to restrict data centre construction in last night’s midterm elections, while proposals to encourage development were on course to fail. The results could shape how quickly new facilities are built, as concerns about their growth intersect with debates over energy use and artificial intelligence.

Of 41 data centre measures tracked across 10 states, only one restriction measure, in Harwood, North Dakota, was set to fail; all 13 measures intended to facilitate development were on track to fail. In Ohio, several towns approved outright bans, while other measures targeted centres above 25 megawatts; Alhambra, California, backed a ban with 81.84% of the vote. The article also reports local moratoriums and says three incoming governors have signalled plans to pause or regulate development. Analysts cut the projected chance of a bipartisan permitting bill passing in the lame-duck session to 25%, though supporters continued to urge a deal.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.