AI data centers emerged as a significant, though not decisive, factor for over half of voters in the 2026 midterm elections, according to CBS News exit polls.
While the issue did not top the list of most crucial concerns for the electorate, voter sentiment regarding the construction of new data centers in their communities was overwhelmingly negative.
This widespread opposition appeared to benefit Democratic candidates, even as a majority of self-identified Republicans also expressed resistance to having a new facility in their area. Candidates such as Democratic Sen.-elect Sherrod Brown in Ohio and Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa in Texas made the impact of data centers a central component of their campaigns.
What the Right Is Saying
Despite the national and local opposition to new data center construction, Republican voters largely maintained their party loyalty. The exit polls show that most self-identified Republicans expressed resistance to having a new data center in their area, yet they predominantly voted for Republican candidates.
This indicates that for conservative voters, the issue of data centers, while unpopular locally, did not override other priorities such as economic policy or party alignment. The Republican perspective, as implied by the voting patterns, appears to be one of managing local grievances while maintaining support for broader pro-business or technological growth platforms.
What the Left Is Saying
The CBS News data indicates that opposition to data centers skewed toward Democratic candidates. Most voters who opposed having a data center in their community backed Democrats, suggesting that the Democratic strategy of highlighting local environmental and resource impacts resonated with a broad segment of the electorate.
The narrative presented by this side of the political spectrum, as reflected in the polling, is that rapid AI expansion without local consent or adequate environmental safeguards is a burden on communities. The correlation between views on artificial intelligence and views on infrastructure is clear: those who see AI doing more harm than good are largely opposed to data centers.
What the Numbers Show
CBS News exit polls interviewed thousands of voters across the country at polling locations on Election Day and in the weeks leading up to it. The data reveals that AI data centers were a major factor for over half of the voters surveyed, with big majorities nationally and in all Senate battleground states opposing having one built in their community.
Opposition was high across all Senate battleground states, spanning urban, suburban, and rural areas. Earlier polling conducted by CBS News this year found that this skepticism was fueled by perceived negative impacts on the environment and local resources. However, the same earlier polling indicated that more voters believed data centers could be good for local tax revenue than believed they would be bad for it.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 midterms highlight a complex relationship between technological advancement and local voter sentiment. While the AI boom continues to drive economic and political discourse, the physical infrastructure required to support it faces significant local headwinds. The data suggests that candidates who successfully campaigned against new data centers, particularly in key battleground states, may have gained an electoral advantage.
As the industry continues to expand, policymakers will likely face increasing pressure to address community concerns regarding environmental impact and resource usage, even as they seek to capitalize on the potential tax benefits. The extent to which this local opposition will influence future legislation or corporate expansion plans remains to be seen.