Recent polling by the New York Times and Siena University shows that a majority of US voters oppose building data centers for AI technology, citing environmental and community concerns. Despite this opposition, AI-related issues rank low among factors influencing voter decisions in the upcoming midterm elections.
- 61% of voters oppose AI data center construction
- Environmental impact is the top concern among skeptics
- AI and data center issues rank low in midterm voting priorities
What happened
A recent poll conducted by the New York Times and Siena University surveyed 1,503 likely US voters in early September, revealing that 61% oppose the construction of data centers dedicated to supporting AI technology. Only 14% strongly support these projects. Opposition was notably high among voters who supported Kamala Harris or did not vote in the previous election, while Donald Trump supporters were more evenly split.
Voters' reasons for opposing AI data centers varied, with 32% citing environmental and water usage concerns, followed by 21% worried about negative effects on local communities. Distrust of AI was a factor for 18%, alongside worries about economic impacts and regulatory issues. Additional polling earlier in the year from NBC News and Gallup showed similarly high resistance to AI infrastructure projects.
Why it matters
Despite the strong opposition to building new AI data centers, the issue itself does not currently weigh heavily on voters' minds when deciding their midterm vote. Across many demographic groups, AI and data centers were selected by less than 1% of respondents as their top election concern, with slightly higher interest among younger voters aged 18-29.
Political party allegiance remains a dominant factor, as voters overwhelmingly trust their own party to manage these technology issues. The polling showed Democrats and Republicans nearly tied in trust levels, underscoring that neither party holds a distinct advantage on AI or data center policy in the public eye. This dynamic suggests limited political incentive to prioritize AI infrastructure debates in the short term.
What to watch next
With voter opposition high but political stakes low, one key factor to monitor will be whether growing environmental and community resistance translates into regulatory or legislative barriers for AI data center projects. Local opposition movements and potential new regulations could emerge as significant hurdles for technology companies expanding AI infrastructure.
Additionally, the attitudes of younger voters could signal shifting perspectives on AI and data center policy over time. If AI becomes a more prominent electoral issue in future cycles, parties may adjust their platforms to address public concerns more directly, especially regarding sustainability and local impact.