Opposition to large data centres is becoming an electoral issue in the United States, cutting across party loyalties and influencing primary and midterm candidates. Residents in both conservative rural areas and Democratic-leaning communities are pressing politicians over the facilities’ potential effects on electricity prices, water supplies, farmland and local control, forcing candidates to respond.

The growth is driven largely by demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure, but critics argue communities often receive little notice or influence over developments. The debate has reached statewide races, with proposals including limits on tax incentives, water-reuse requirements and protections against infrastructure costs being passed on to household energy customers; it has also contributed to project delays and cancellations.