Exit polls show data centers weren't winners in 2026 elections

In the 2026 US midterm elections on November 3, concerns over AI and data centers significantly influenced voter decisions, with Democrats winning key races in states like Ohio, Kansas, and Iowa. An NBC exit poll found that 56% of voters cited AI and data centers as a "crucial or major factor" in their vote for Congress. Data center bans were passed in various counties across the country, while mayors who supported such projects faced recalls in Piqua, Ohio and Yukon, Oklahoma. Despite substantial spending by pro-AI PACs like the one backed by Silicon Valley leaders, these efforts failed to sway election outcomes effectively, with Democrats outspending them and winning major races. This shift suggests a growing public sentiment against rapid AI expansion, potentially slowing its growth in the US and possibly aiding China’s ambitions in this technology sector.