56% of Voters Called AI Data Centers Key to Congressional Vote

Fifty-six percent of midterm voters said AI data centers were a crucial or major factor in their decision for Congress, according to NBC News exit polling conducted across 45 key states. The figure splits into 23 percent who called the issue crucial and 33 percent who called it a major factor. Another 31 percent rated it a minor factor, while 13 percent said it played no role at all.

The poll, run by NBC News together with a group of other news organizations, put a direct question to voters: "Thinking about your vote for Congress, how important to you was AI data centers?" The digital infrastructure sector ranked as one of the key issues of the midterms, though it trailed government corruption, cost of living, immigration enforcement, and the war in Iran in overall prominence.

How did the parties split?

The issue cut across party lines but leaned heavily toward Democrats. Among respondents who called data centers crucial, 67 percent identified as Democrats and 30 percent as Republicans. Among those who called it a major factor, the split was 61 percent Democrat to 37 percent Republican.

The pattern reversed at the other end of the scale. Voters who rated data centers a minor factor split 46 percent Democrat to 53 percent Republican. Among those who said the issue was not a factor at all, Republicans outnumbered Democrats 67 percent to 31 percent.

What does this change for local data center projects?

The clearest signal came on the community level. Asked whether they would favor or oppose construction of a new data center in their own community, 76 percent of respondents opposed it. Only 24 percent were in favor.

The opposition crossed party lines in different directions. Among supporters of local construction, Republicans dominated at 72 percent to 27 percent Democrat. Among opponents, Democrats led at 63 percent to 35 percent Republican.

The poll also captured broad skepticism toward artificial intelligence itself. Fifty-seven percent of respondents said they believe AI will do more to hurt society than help it, with Democrats at 62 percent and Republicans at 36 percent on that side of the question.

What does this mean for the election results?

The midterms produced a blue wave. Democrats took the Senate and the House, and scored notable victories in gubernatorial races, including wins by candidates who campaigned against data center development.

The ballot measures tell the same story at the local level. Voters approved at least 43 data center moratoria in some form nationwide.

For data center developers and the operators who lease their capacity, the numbers point to a hardening political environment. A majority of the electorate now says infrastructure buildout influenced a national vote, and three quarters reject new facilities near their own homes.

The combination is stark: national-level salience, local-level resistance, and a governing party whose voters are the most opposed.