Ohio is the epicenter of data center pushback
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Voters across the country reaffirmed that data center construction projects are one of the most unpopular topics in politics — and nowhere shot them down more prolifically Tuesday than Ohio.
Why it matters: As Democrats and Republicans seek answers for what helped and hurt their parties in Election Day's "blue tsunami," voter pushback to data centers has proven to be a bipartisan concern.
The latest: Per Ballotpedia, voters nationwide saw 41 data center-related ballot issues.
- Some issues created prohibitions, moratoriums or restrictions, while others requested rezonings or approval of planned projects.
- The Buckeye State was the epicenter of data center pushback, with 21 of those 41 nationwide issues located in Ohio communities.
The results: Nearly every vote across the country went against data centers, per the Ballotpedia tally — only a Harwood, North Dakota, issue appears to have bucked the trend.
In Central Ohio, five communities voted on issues related to data centers:
- Ashville overturned a resolution allowing for an EdgeConneX data center with 82% of the vote.
- Grove City's Issue 28 will require a referendum on any large-scale developments using large amounts of water or land, and passed with 55% of the vote.
- Granville, Pataskala and Sunbury banned data centers that use 25 megawatts or more, each with at least 74% of the vote.
What they're saying: Grove City organizer Jen Belt tells Axios her "Protect Grove City" group is "so very encouraged" by results across the state.
- "We do think people are broadly saying 'no' to data centers and will continue to do whatever it takes to protect their neighborhoods, families and properties."
Between the lines: AI growth is forging ahead — but companies will need to figure out how to build the required infrastructure while data centers are a losing issue.
- "I do not work for the utility companies. I do not work for data centers," U.S. Sen.-elect Sherrod Brown said in his victory speech Tuesday night.