Voters in 13 states to decide on 41 data center ballot measures

Voters in 13 states will decide the future of artificial intelligence data centers on Tuesday, the New York Post reported. The election website Ballotpedia tracked 41 data center measures on state and local ballots. The voting comes as artificial intelligence development places greater demands on power supplies and local infrastructure across the country. [1]

Many of the measures are tied to local municipalities and address whether residents want facilities built in their communities, as well as new regulations regarding their use, according to the New York Post. The country currently has about 3,172 active data centers and another 5,098 in development, according to data center map website Cleanview. Ohio holds the largest share of the voting measures, with 21 local initiatives spread across 18 jurisdictions. [1]

In the United States, federal general elections take place statutorily on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. As FTMQ News reported earlier, President Donald Trump previously defended data center construction during an October rally in Ohio, arguing that the facilities are necessary for the United States to compete with China in artificial intelligence technology. [11][12]

Political activity and scheduling changes continue in the days leading up to the vote. According to msnbc.com, the Republican National Committee canceled planned in-person rallies by Donald Trump in Kansas and Iowa, though a White House official later said Trump was expected to make stops in both states on Sunday. [3]