Voters in 13 states decide fate of AI data centres on Election Day

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 15:57 · Archive

Voters across 13 states will decide on 41 data centre measures on Election Day, with strong public opposition to the facilities.

Voters across 13 states will decide the future of AI data centres when they go to the polls on Tuesday. According to Ballotpedia, there are 41 data centre-related measures on ballots in November, many tied to local municipalities and dealing with issues such as whether residents want them in their areas and what regulations should govern their use. Twenty-one of these measures are in Ohio, which has around 200 active data centres, making it one of the biggest concentrations in the country.

Opposition to the facilities cuts across party lines. A Gallup poll released in May found seven in ten Americans oppose a data centre being built in their area. In its latest poll, released Thursday, the issue ranked ahead of climate change as important to residents in the upcoming midterm election. In Ohio specifically, Democrats and Republicans have joined forces against the centres.

Concerns centre on the massive electricity demand and environmental impact. In Ohio, the average household electric bill rose about 15 per cent in the past year. Some ballot measures would prohibit data centres from being built, others would require voter approval before construction starts, and some address zoning regulations. President Trump has campaigned in Ohio multiple times, stating there is money to be made for the state from data centres and warning they would 'go to China' if rejected. He has pushed executive orders requiring the centres to pay for their own electricity.

How it is being reported

• Data centres on the ballot: could the AI infrastructure shape US midterms?Voters from Ohio to Illinois decide dozens of local measures on Tuesday, as opposition to the giant buildings powering AI cuts across party lines.France 24 · 1 Nov, 15:11
• Voters in 13 states to decide on Election Day the fate of data centers in their backyardsThere are 41 AI data center-related measures on ballots in November, according to the elections website Ballotpedia.New York Post · 30 Oct, 17:33

In this story: Ohio · Illinois · United States · China · Trump · Gallup · Ballotpedia

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