AI Data Centers Influenced 56% of Congressional Voters in Exit Poll

Nov 4, 2026
An exit poll found that 56% of respondents considered AI data centers a crucial or major factor in their congressional vote. Most also opposed a new data center in their community.

Data Center Dynamics reports that 56% of respondents in an exit poll considered AI data centers a crucial or major factor in their congressional vote. The poll, conducted by NBC News and other news organizations across 45 key states, found that 23% called the issue crucial and 33% called it a major factor.

Another 31% described AI data centers as a minor factor, while 13% said they were not a factor. Among respondents who called the issue crucial, 67% were Democrats and 30% were Republicans.

The poll also found that 76% opposed construction of a new data center in their community, while 24% supported it. Separately, 57% of respondents said they believed AI would do more to hurt society. The results follow voter approval of about two dozen data center restrictions in the same elections.

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