Voters Back Data Center Restrictions in 40 of 41 Local Races

Voters approved restrictions on data-center development in 40 of 41 local contests tracked by Ballotpedia during the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, according to the organization’s tally. The measures ranged from bans and temporary pauses to limits on large facilities and requirements for public approval. The results add local permitting hurdles for an industry expanding to meet demand for artificial intelligence computing.

In Ohio, voters approved outright bans in 11 municipalities and additional regulations in seven others, according to reporting on the ballot results. In Grove City, voters approved a rule requiring public approval for large projects consuming more than 20 megawatts. Other measures included temporary pauses in three Maine towns. The tally covers local contests tracked by Ballotpedia; another report described a different total across a broader set of jurisdictions.

Restrictions could affect Bitcoin-mining companies seeking to convert existing sites and power access into AI-ready data centers. Local authorities often control zoning, building permits and approvals for facility upgrades, meaning existing electricity capacity alone may not be enough to proceed....