US voters back data center limits in 44 of 45 local measures
The gist
Voters in 44 of 45 communities passed data center restrictions on Nov 3, per datacentersontheballot.com.
The results pressure developers and show local anger over power, water and noise.
How it unfolded
- Mar 10, 2026Canterbury, New Hampshire, approved Article 4 prohibiting data centers within the town, 84% to 16%.
- Jun 2, 2026Monterey Park, California, approved Measure NDC to bar data centers by amending the city's land use element, 88% to 12%.
- Aug 4, 2026Augusta Township, Michigan, defeated a data center rezoning referendum 90% to 10%.
Key terms
- moratorium
- A delay or suspension of an activity or law, often temporary.
- land use element
- A planning method where local government divides land into zones with rules governing permitted uses and building form.
Source: Wikipedia