When Data Centers Meet Local Votes: How Communities Respond

Across the United States, local voters are trying to remove officials who approved big data centers. Many communities worry these centers use a lot of electricity and water, make noise, and raise bills.

People collect signatures for recall votes and some city leaders lost elections this year. In one town, residents voted out the whole council after a $6 billion plan. Voters in Monterey Park banned data centers in June 2026.

Many people say they were not told enough about the project and they feared higher taxes. Other towns have used short bans while leaders study the effects. The debate is likely to continue in more towns.