US voters back data center construction limits

Nov 4, 2026
Initial election returns show voters approved about two dozen measures designed to restrict or block data center construction across 10 states.

Initial election returns show voters approved about two dozen measures designed to restrict or block data center construction across 10 states, according to Axios. The restrictions were among 41 data center proposals on ballots, with some results still outstanding in Arkansas and North Dakota.

Democrat Gina Hinojosa won the Texas governor race after campaigning to preserve a moratorium on data center construction until lawmakers address electricity, water, air and property rights. Texas accounts for 41% of new US data center capacity expected in 2028, and a pause lasting more than six months could delay projects in the state.

Democrats also won governor races in Ohio, Georgia and Arizona, the three states behind Texas in planned new capacity. The winners in Ohio and Georgia support restrictions, although their specific policies remain unclear. Nearly two thirds of US data center capacity planned for 2028 could face delays. The results also weighed on AI stocks overnight.

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