Voters reject data centers in local ballot initiatives

Data center opponents won nearly all of more than 40 local ballot measures held across 10 states, according to preliminary results. Ohio had almost 20 initiatives, while voters in communities in California, Illinois, Kansas, Maine and New Jersey also rejected proposals involving data center construction, zoning changes or related financing. Some measures were advisory and will not directly bind local officials.

In Emporia, Kansas, voters approved a prohibition on high-impact data centers, defined as facilities requiring more than 10 megawatts of peak electricity or 100,000 gallons of daily water use. Alhambra, California, voters appeared on track to ban data centers throughout the city, while Harwood, North Dakota, rejected a charter amendment requiring independent review and public hearings for large industrial projects; that measure would not have affected an already approved Applied Digital campus.

Supporters of the initiatives cited potential effects on water and power bills, limited transparency and concerns about agreements between local governments and technology companies. Mitch Jones of Food & Water Action said the results reflected broad public opposition to the unregulated expansion of hyperscale facilities, while Brookings fellow Mark Muro pointed to voter frustration with projects approved through opaque deals and without sufficient safeguards.