# US voters back data centre restrictions in most local ballots

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/datacenters-were-on-the-ballot-us-voters-rejected-them/
- Published: 2026-11-05T01:30:14+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T01:48:36+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/nov/04/datacenters-midterm-elections
- Topics: Americas, Elections, Politics, World

## Key points

- Local voters backed data centre limits across several states.
- Ohio recorded at least 14 municipal restrictions.
- Texas may provide 25% to 30% of planned capacity.

## Summary

Voters in several US states approved restrictions or temporary moratoriums on data centre construction in Tuesday’s elections, signalling strong local opposition to the facilities and the resources they use. The results may slow the industry’s expansion and add pressure on politicians and technology companies as demand for computing capacity grows.

Data centres were addressed in ballots across at least 40 jurisdictions in 10 states. In Ohio, at least 14 municipalities passed bans or restrictions, while eight municipalities in Maine approved temporary moratoriums; voters in Emporia, Kansas, also backed a ban on high-impact centres. Nearly every ballot measure passed, with Hardwood, North Dakota, a notable exception. Newly elected governors in Texas, Georgia and Ohio have also pledged restrictions or moratoriums, and an analyst said Texas is especially significant because it is expected to account for 25% to 30% of data centre capacity.

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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.