Voters rejected AI data centers in all but one local vote on election day, CNBC reports
On 3 November 2026, voters in 10 US states decided 41 local data center measures. CNBC reports that voters opposed data centers in all but one, in Harwood, North Dakota. Ohio had 21 of the votes. Quartz says 33 had passed or led, with about a dozen still to report. In a CNBC voter poll, 56% said data centers were a crucial or major factor.
The short version
- 01CNBC counts 41 local data center measures in 10 states on 3 November 2026, with voters opposed in all but one.
- 02Ohio had 21 of the measures. The exception was in Harwood, North Dakota.
- 03Quartz, citing Stateline, said 33 measures had passed or led, with about a dozen still to report: counts differ by outlet and timing.
- 04In a CNBC voter poll, 56% of voters said data centers were a crucial or major factor in their vote.
- 05In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa unseated Governor Greg Abbott after calling for a pause on new data centers.
At a glance
| Status | Reported (CNBC and Quartz) |
|---|---|
| Vote date | 3 November 2026 |
| Measures | 41 local data center measures in 10 states (CNBC) |
| Result | Voters opposed data centers in all but one (CNBC) |
| Biggest state | Ohio, with 21 measures |
| The exception | Harwood, North Dakota |
| Poll | 56% called data centers a crucial or major factor (CNBC Voter Poll) |
| Caveat | Counts differ by outlet; some results were still coming in |
What happened in the data center votes?
CNBC reports that 41 local data center measures were on the ballot in 10 states on 3 November 2026. Voters opposed data centers in every one except a measure in Harwood, North Dakota, where voters rejected an added review of industrial projects, including data centers.
Ohio had 21 of the measures. Communities in California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, New Jersey, Nevada and Wisconsin also voted.
Do all the counts agree?
No. Quartz, citing Stateline and Semafor, reported that 33 measures aimed at curbing data centers had passed or held leads on Tuesday evening, with about a dozen more still to report. It said a North Dakota measure was the one result favouring construction.
The measures also differ: some are flat bans, some are short pauses or caps on energy use, and some are nonbinding questions asking officials to act. We will treat CNBC's count as its own reporting until final results are in.
How did it affect the big races?
CNBC reports that in Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa unseated Governor Greg Abbott, who had courted data center development before shifting his position this year. She campaigned for a pause on new projects until the state adopts tougher rules. Republicans still control the Texas Legislature.
In Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown defeated Republican Senator Jon Husted. In a CNBC Voter Poll, 56% of voters called data centers a crucial or major factor in their vote, and Democrats rated the issue higher than Republicans.
Why does it matter?
AI companies are building data centers at speed, and local approval decides where they go. These votes show that residents can stop projects, and CNBC notes the results are a headwind for the AI build-out.
What's next?
Final counts in the places still reporting, and how AI companies, states and the new Congress respond. Open Loop News will update if the numbers change.
Questions people ask
How many data center votes were there?
CNBC counts 41 local measures in 10 states. Other outlets report different totals, because some results were still coming in.
Did voters reject all of them?
CNBC reports that voters opposed data centers in all but one, in Harwood, North Dakota.
Which state had the most?
Ohio, with 21 measures.
Did data centers affect the governor race in Texas?
CNBC reports that Gina Hinojosa, who called for a pause on new data centers, unseated Governor Greg Abbott. How much it decided the race is not established.
Is this confirmed?
It is Reported: it comes from CNBC and Quartz, not from the election authorities, and the counts differ.
Sources
- PrimaryCNBC: Voters rebuff data centers in every ballot measure except one during the 2026 midterms (4 Nov 2026)
- CoverageCNBC: 5 midterm election takeaways (4 Nov 2026)
- CoverageQuartz: Voters rejected AI data centers across America (4 Nov 2026)
Why "Reported"? We label a story "Reported" when only the media have it so far. Spotted an error? Email hello@openloopnews.com and we will correct it.
