10 US Cities Where Voters Overwhelmingly Rejected Data Centers

Results from last week’s midterm elections are widely seen as a resounding rebuke of the Trump administration and congressional Republicans. In one of the largest electoral swings in modern American history, Democrats flipped seven seats in the U.S. Senate and more than 40 in the House, decisively winning control of both chambers. By the time all votes have been counted, the G.O.P. is expected to cede even more ground to the Democratic Party. But if Election Day was bad for Republican lawmakers, it was even worse for AI data centers and the tech giants behind them. 

In recent months, companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft have poured hundreds of billions of dollars into data centers. These facilities, which power AI technology, have a massive physical footprint and can consume as much electricity as entire cities. While tech companies tout the economic benefits data centers can bring to a community, Americans living near data centers have reported a reduced quality of life, citing higher electricity bills, pollution, and noise–all associated with data centers. 

According to a Gallup poll, 71% of Americans opposed construction of data centers in their area in May 2026. But last week’s election suggests that opposition to data centers has only strengthened in the months since. Voters adopted measures to either limit or ban local data center development in 40 of 41 ballot initiatives last week–and many of those initiatives passed with over 80% support. 

Using data from Ballotopedia, Climate Crisis 247 identified the places where voters overwhelmingly rejected data centers. We reviewed Election Day results in places with ballot initiatives restricting data center construction, and ranked each of those places on the share of voters opposed to local data centers. Only places where 80% or more of the electorate rejected data centers rank on this list. 

10. Trenton, Ohio (Butler County)

• Election Day 2026 results on ballot measure: 80% anti-data center (3,541 votes); 20% pro-data center (903 votes)
• Data center ballot measure description: Prohibits the construction of large-scale data centers
• Ballot measure outcome: Approved
• Local population: 13,583 people

9. Ashville, Ohio (Pickaway County)

• Election Day 2026 results on ballot measure: 82% anti-data center (1,469 votes); 18% pro-data center (331 votes)
• Data center ballot measure description: Struck down development framework for two new data centers and an associated natural gas power plant
• Ballot measure outcome: Defeated
• Local population: 4,648 people

8. Granville, Ohio (Licking County)

• Election Day 2026 results on ballot measure: 82% anti-data center (2,015 votes); 18% pro-data center (429 votes)
• Data center ballot measure description: Prohibits the construction of data centers
• Ballot measure outcome: Approved
• Local population: 5,999 people

7. Wells, Maine (York County)

• Election Day 2026 results on ballot measure: 82% anti-data center (5,818 votes); 18% pro-data center (1,282 votes)
• Data center ballot measure description: Establishes a 180 day moratorium on data center development and permitting
• Ballot measure outcome: Approved
• Local population: 11,713 people

6. Alhambra, California (Los Angeles County)

• Election Day 2026 results on ballot measure: 82% anti-data center (12,496 votes); 18% pro-data center (2,772 votes)
• Data center ballot measure description: Data center ban in city
• Ballot measure outcome: Approved
• Local population: 81,022 people

5. Chouteau, Illinois (Madison County)

• Election Day 2026 results on ballot measure: 83% anti-data center (1,817 votes); 17% pro-data center (365 votes)
• Data center ballot measure description: Advises officials to permit the construction and operation of new data centers in local township
• Ballot measure outcome: Defeated
• Local population: 7,464 people

4. Downe, New Jersey (Cumberland County)

• Election Day 2026 results on ballot measure: 87% anti-data center (425 votes); 13% pro-data center (62 votes)
• Data center ballot measure description: Advises support for data centers in local township
• Ballot measure outcome: Defeated
• Local population: 1,638 people

3. Perry, Ohio (Lake County)

• Election Day 2026 results on ballot measure: 87% anti-data center (946 votes); 13% pro-data center (140 votes)
• Data center ballot measure description: Requires hyperscale data centers seeking tax incentives to provide financial guarantees, including jobs, tax revenue, and other public service and community benefits
• Ballot measure outcome: Approved
• Local population: 1,729 people

2. Monroeville, Ohio (Huron County)

• Election Day 2026 results on ballot measure: 88% anti-data center (394 votes); 12% pro-data center (55 votes)
• Data center ballot measure description: Advises local officials to allow data center development within village limits
• Ballot measure outcome: Defeated
• Local population: 1,641 people

1. Morgan County, Illinois

• Election Day 2026 results on ballot measure: 88% anti-data center (9,413 votes); 12% pro-data center (1,250 votes)
• Data center ballot measure description: Advises county to impose restrictions on building and operating data centers
• Ballot measure outcome: Approved
• Local population: 33,021 people

More from ClimateCrisis 247

• Hurricane Season Ends In Three Weeks. Why Was It Quieter than Normal?
• 15 US Cities Where Floods Have Caused The Most Damage
• The U.S. States Losing the Most Forest
• Which U.S. Cities Produce the Most Emissions Per Resident?