Data centers divide Alabama GOP voters along age, gender lines

A recent poll conducted for Gray Television Alabama stations and Alabama Daily News has uncovered a notable split among Alabama Republican primary voters regarding data centers. The survey of 500 likely voters found that only 22% consider data centers entirely beneficial for the state, while 25% view them as detrimental. The largest proportion, 37%, perceived data centers as a combination of good and bad, with 16% undecided. Todd Stacy, publisher of Alabama Daily News, suggested these findings highlight a need for enhanced communication from data center companies, municipalities, and the state to explain their presence and benefits. The poll revealed a stark demographic divergence. Men aged 65 and older held a net positive view of data centers (+9), sharply contrasting with women under 65, who expressed a net negative view (-9). Across all age groups, 32% of men saw data centers positively compared to only 13% of women. Geographically, Mobile was the sole major media market where a plurality of voters had a favorable opinion, and rural voters generally exhibited more skepticism than their urban counterparts. Conducted from April 29-30 with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.38 percentage points, the survey also assessed voter sentiment on recent legislative reforms. Republican primary voters largely endorsed the Legislature's decision to expand the Public Service Commission to seven members, elected by congressional district, and to establish a Secretary of Energy position, with 59% expressing approval. Stacy indicated that voters likely anticipate these measures will contribute to reducing electricity costs. Additionally, the poll showed that Republican primary voters are nearly equally divided on whether Alabama should mandate party registration for primary elections, with 36% in favor and 38% opposed. Although the Legislature debated a closed primary bill this year, it ultimately did not pass, despite arguments from proponents within the Alabama Republican Party that it was strongly desired by the party's base.