Voters in 10 US states will decide on Tuesday whether to curb AI data centres amid health and water fears

Voters across 10 US states will go to the polls on Tuesday's midterm elections to decide on at least 41 local ballot measures aimed at delaying, prohibiting or restricting data centre construction, with Ohio alone hosting 21 distinct proposals — more than any other state. Residents cite electricity and water demands, noise, light pollution and potential health risks to children as driving opposition that spans both parties. Research into health effects is leaving politicians who backed data centre expansion in unexpectedly vulnerable positions in reliably red states including Texas.

Doug Herrera, 64, of Page, Arizona, opposes a proposed $10 billion mega data centre near his home, fearing it will repeat the health harms he attributes to nearby uranium mining.

Even if voters approve restrictions, analysts expect developers to redirect investment to other states rather than scrap projects entirely.