Initial results from the U.S. midterms show that the first 10 reported local ballot measures on data center policy have all favored restricting the growth of the facilities. These votes are part of a broader series of 41 local measures across 10 states—including 21 in Ohio—that allow jurisdictions to vote on zoning, permitting, and development caps for the infrastructure used to power artificial intelligence.
The trend follows a surge in local data center bans, which grew from roughly 40 at the start of 2026 to more than 500 by August. While Beacon Policy Advisors says that governor races in 10 states will shape roughly $2.5T in planned AI investment, Bank of America notes that local regulations have become the primary constraint on industry expansion, citing a 474 GW interconnection queue in Texas that is 90% data center related.