# Data centers also lost at the ballot box in the United States

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/data-centers-also-lost-at-the-ballot-box-in-the-united-states/
- Published: 2026-11-05T19:46:50+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T20:38:07+00:00
- Original publisher: El País (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://english.elpais.com/usa/2026-11-05/data-centers-also-lost-at-the-ballot-box-in-the-united-states.html
- Topics: Americas, Elections, Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Voters rejected 40 of 41 data-centre proposals.
- Ohio accounted for 21 failed projects.
- The results raise pressure for tighter rules on AI infrastructure.

## Summary

US voters have delivered a broad rebuke to proposed data-centre developments, adding political pressure on the artificial intelligence industry after Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress. Critics say the facilities can raise local electricity bills, use large quantities of water and receive public incentives through opaque agreements.

Of 41 data-centre project votes held across 10 states, only one passed, according to Ballotpedia; it was in Harwood, North Dakota. Ohio saw 21 proposals rejected, and incoming governor Amy Acton backs a pause on new developments until operators cover the public-service costs they create and allow construction workers to unionise. The backlash also puts scrutiny on a proposed OpenAI campus in Ohio that could involve more than $500 billion in investment.

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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.