Ohio voters demonstrated a clear preference for protecting local land and resources during this year’s election. In 18 municipalities across the state, ballot measures aimed at limiting or prohibiting data center development were approved, many by wide margins.
Local votes show strong opposition
In Wilmington, voters turned down four separate zoning proposals that would have opened specific parcels to data center construction. Roughly 80% of voters rejected each measure, signaling a decisive rebuff of the plans.
In Piqua, residents approved a citywide ban on data centers by a two‑to‑one margin. The same election also saw the recall of three city commissioners, including the mayor and vice mayor, after they supported a Meta‑backed data center project in November 2025.
Statewide effort gains momentum
Nine of the communities voted for measures modeled after a proposed statewide amendment by the advocacy group Conserve Ohio. The group is working to place a constitutional amendment on the 2027 ballot that would prohibit any data center drawing more than 25 megawatts of power per month.
Conserve Ohio has urged state legislators to consider a 12‑month moratorium on new data center development during the upcoming lame‑duck session, giving localities additional time to assess impacts.
Upper Sandusky joins the trend
Upper Sandusky, in northwest Ohio, rejected a nearly $1 billion project proposed by Smartland Energy. The plan called for a 150‑megawatt natural‑gas power plant on 46 acres and a potential data center on an adjacent 100‑acre parcel. While Smartland Energy said it would not operate the data center itself, the company acknowledged the vote and said it would respect the democratic outcome.
Local organizer Angela Huffman, president of Farm Action, highlighted concerns about the strain such facilities could place on farmland and existing infrastructure. Nearly 77% of Upper Sandusky voters approved a charter amendment banning data centers within city limits.
National context and industry response
The Ohio Capital Journal notes that 47 data‑center‑related measures appeared on ballots nationwide this cycle. Of those, 44 jurisdictions rejected the projects, one approved them, and two results remain pending.
Industry groups responded quickly. Infrastructure for America announced a voluntary pledge to increase transparency, invest in community projects, and avoid adding further pressure on local power and water systems. The Data Center Coalition emphasized the sector’s potential for job creation, tax revenue and investment, while Dan Diorio, its head of state policy and government affairs, warned that rejecting data centers could mean missed economic opportunities.
Community voices prioritize local interests
Farm Action’s Huffman clarified that she does not oppose artificial intelligence or development in general, but believes the data‑center industry has not sufficiently considered the interests of Ohio’s rural communities. She argued that generous tax incentives for developers and limited public input have created an uneven playing field.
Overall, the election results reflect a growing desire among Ohio’s citizens to retain control over land use decisions, safeguard agricultural heritage, and ensure that any large‑scale technology projects align with local priorities.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
