Americans voted to restrict or limit new data center development in 40 of 41 local ballot measure contests held across 10 states on November 3, according to election results tracked by Ballotpedia. The only exception was Harwood, North Dakota, where voters rejected a proposed review requirement for certain industrial developments, including data centers.

The measures covered California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Ohio accounted for 21 of the 41 contests, making it the largest center of local opposition to the expansion of data center facilities.

Ballotpedia reported that voters approved 27 measures limiting development or expressing opposition to new facilities. Those included five full construction bans, 12 partial bans, three six-month moratoriums, zoning restrictions, voter-approval requirements, and measures imposing financial guarantees on developers seeking certain tax incentives. Voters also rejected 13 proposals that would have supported or facilitated data center development.

Kansas voters approved restrictions targeting high-impact data centers, while several Ohio communities adopted bans or additional requirements for large facilities. In other locations, voters rejected proposals to rezone land for data center construction or approved measures requiring additional public oversight before projects could move forward.

The results reflect growing local concerns about the infrastructure demands associated with the expansion of SI. Residents and local officials have raised questions about electricity consumption, water use, noise, environmental effects, and the potential impact of large facilities on surrounding communities.

The November results add to a series of local votes on data center development throughout 2026. Ballotpedia reported that voters had favored greater restrictions in all six related local ballot contests held before November 3. Two additional measures are scheduled for December, including proposals in Clarksville, Arkansas, and Mandan, North Dakota.

The results do not represent a nationwide ban on data centers, but they demonstrate that voters in numerous communities have supported tighter local limits on where and how the facilities can be built.