US Voters Reject Data Centers, Except One Small North Dakota Town 2026

In a wave of local referendums across the United States, voters have overwhelmingly rejected data center projects, but one small town in North Dakota defied the trend. On Tuesday, November 3, during the midterm elections, at least 40 local ballots addressed data centers, with most signaling opposition. Yet Harwood, a town of just 940 residents, voted against a measure that would have given locals more control over large-scale developments.

The National Backlash Against Data Centers

The midterms revealed a clear shift toward the Democratic Party and a resounding "no" to data centers in many communities. Residents are increasingly concerned about the impact of these massive facilities on local infrastructure, utilities, and quality of life. The votes reflect growing unease with the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and its demands on power and water.

This backlash is not entirely surprising. Data centers consume vast amounts of electricity and water, and their construction can strain local resources. Communities are demanding a say in how these projects are approved and operated, leading to referendums that often result in stricter regulations or outright rejections.

Harwood: The Exception to the Rule

In Harwood, the vote was decisive: 325 against and 105 in favor of a rule that would have required independent assessments and public hearings for future projects above a certain size. The measure was not about the $3 billion data center currently under construction by Applied Digital, known as Polaris Forge 2, which is leased to Oracle and will have a capacity of 280 MW when operational.

Instead, the proposed rule aimed to give residents more oversight of large-scale projects. Mayor Blake Hankey explained that the text was confusing and the measure costly for such a small town. For many residents, the immediate benefits of the data center—jobs, tax revenue, and economic growth—outweighed the potential drawbacks.

Why Harwood Said No

The decision in Harwood highlights a divide in how communities view large infrastructure projects. While some see data centers as threats to their way of life, others view them as economic lifelines. In Harwood, the promise of investment and employment likely played a significant role in the vote.

Additionally, the complexity of the proposed rule may have deterred voters. Without clear, tangible benefits, residents opted to maintain the status quo rather than impose new burdens on developers and the town itself.

The Broader Implications for Data Center Development

The national trend of local opposition could have significant implications for the tech industry. As AI and cloud computing continue to grow, the demand for data centers will only increase. Companies may need to engage more deeply with communities to gain social license to operate.

In Harwood, the support for the data center suggests that when projects are presented with clear economic benefits and community engagement, they can win local approval. However, the backlash elsewhere indicates that developers must address concerns about energy use, environmental impact, and local control. The background to this story is set out in Ireland Data Centers Now Use 23% of National Electricity. A related thread runs through Amazon Data Centers Ignite Tax Revolt in Aragon Towns. Earlier coverage in First T rex Footprints Discovered in North Dakota Trackway shows how the argument developed.

What to Watch Next

As more communities hold referendums on data centers, the balance between economic development and local autonomy will be tested. The outcomes will shape how and where future data centers are built, and how companies interact with host communities. A closer look at the same subject appears in Switched at Birth Lawsuit: North Dakota Men Sue Hospital After DN. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Alberta Voters Reject Independence Referendum in Landslide. The same theme surfaces in Alberta Referendum: Voters Reject Separatism, Back Canada Unity, which takes a different angle.

For now, Harwood stands as a notable exception—a small town that chose to welcome a massive data center while others turned away. Whether this decision proves to be a model or a cautionary tale remains to be seen. Context on how this played out before sits in Meta Deploys Robots to Automate Data Centers and Cut Jobs. A companion piece, AI Data Centers Spark Electrician and Carpenter Shortage in the US, approaches the same subject from another angle.

Key Takeaways

• Over 40 local referendums on data centers were held during the US midterms, with most resulting in opposition.
• Harwood, North Dakota, voted against stricter oversight for large projects, bucking the national trend.
• The vote in Harwood was not about the $3 billion Applied Digital data center already under construction.
• Economic benefits and confusion over the proposed rule likely influenced the outcome in Harwood.
• Developers may need to increase community engagement to overcome growing local resistance.

Comparison of Local Referendum Outcomes