Proposed Ohio data center ban won’t make November ballot
A proposed Ohio constitutional amendment to ban large data centers failed to gather enough signatures to make the November ballot this year. Supporters, Conserve Ohio, vow to continue their campaign for the 2027 election. The initiative faces strong opposition from business groups and labor unions who warn of job losses.
A proposed constitutional amendment in Ohio, seeking to ban the construction of large data centers, will not appear on the November ballot this year. Supporters, organized under "Conserve Ohio," failed to collect the required 413,487 valid signatures by the July 1 deadline. Despite this setback, the group, which started collecting signatures in April after the Ohio Ballot Board approved the amendment as a single issue, remains optimistic and plans to aim for the November 2027 general election, noting that the over 73,000 signatures already gathered do not expire.
Lyn Cox, a Waterville resident leading the campaign in Lucas County, expressed disappointment but emphasized increased determination, highlighting growing grassroots support across several counties including Lucas, Stark, Butler, Franklin, and Wood. The amendment faces strong opposition from various groups, including the Affiliated Construction Trades Ohio. Executive Director Matt Szollosi warned that such a ban would be devastating for the thousands of workers employed in data center construction and maintenance across the state.
Business organizations, such as the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, also oppose the statewide ban, advocating that decisions regarding data center development should be made at the local level. Brian Dicken, vice president of advocacy for the Toledo Chamber, stated that communities are best equipped to evaluate these projects' opportunities and challenges. Efforts in the Ohio Senate to address data center concerns through a separate bill were re-referred to committee and stalled before the summer recess, with lawmakers unlikely to reconvene before the November election.