Measures Restricting AI and Data Centers Pass Across the US; Tech Industry Argues Voter Sentiment Stems from Political Backlash, Not Anti-Tech Stance

US voters backed legislation and candidates aiming to restrict AI and data centers in recent elections, leaving a substantial number of proposed projects in key states like Texas facing delays or halted environmental approvals. While tech industry representatives argue that voters are voicing concerns over broader economic shifts rather than resisting innovation, multiple polls and industry analyses indicate that local grid costs, water consumption, and environmental regulations are significantly raising the compliance bar for data center expansions across the United States.