Voters in key midterm districts largely oppose new AI data centers, poll shows
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A recent NBC News poll found that about seven-in-ten respondents across swing districts oppose the construction of AI data centers in their communities, despite support from some Republican leaders.
A poll commissioned by NBC News and conducted in late August found that 69% of respondents in eight swing districts across the United States oppose the construction of AI data centers in their local area, with 45% saying they strongly oppose the projects. The opposition cuts across party lines, with 57% of Republican respondents, 81% of Democrats and 71% of independents indicating they do not want data centers nearby.
Local officials such as Buchanan County, Iowa, Republican supervisor Dawn Vogel have voted for temporary moratoriums on data-center development, citing concerns about water use and land allocation. Vogel said the issue is “about what’s the best use for the land, what’s the best use for our natural resources,” adding that residents have not expressed a desire for data centers.
National politicians are also weighing the issue. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders have proposed a nationwide moratorium, while some Republican officeholders who previously promoted data-center projects are now supporting measures to ensure utilities charge operators for increased electricity and water consumption.
Voters interviewed along Interstate 80 expressed worries that data centers could raise utility costs and strain water supplies. One Democratic voter, Tamara Clark, said she finds the facilities “troublesome because it drives utility costs for citizens in the area.” An electrician from Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, Jordan Cloe, questioned the lack of data on water consumption, noting that “they gobbled that up.”
Labor unions representing data-center workers highlight the jobs and wages the facilities provide, with some workers reporting weekly earnings of up to $5,000, including overtime. One anonymous worker said the experience has been positive and suggested that proponents and critics collaborate to address community concerns.
President Donald Trump has promoted data-center development as a path to economic growth, stating that communities “should not want Data Centers … if they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place.” The contrast between political rhetoric and local opposition underscores the growing debate over the environmental and economic impacts of AI data-center expansion as the November midterm elections approach.