Data center construction has become one of the most contentious issues in the 2026 US election cycle, sparking widespread opposition among voters of both parties. Republican and Democratic lawmakers at the local, state, and federal levels have previously issued halt orders to suspend some data center construction. Two months before the November midterm elections, Trump repeatedly expressed support for AI data centers, but a recent poll shows that most Americans do not want such facilities built in their communities. An NBC News Decision Channel survey found that 69% of respondents oppose building AI data centers near their homes, with 45% expressing "strong opposition." Republicans have relatively higher support, but a majority (57%) still oppose it. 81% of Democrats and 71% of independents do not want data centers built near their homes.
