A poll conducted in early September 2026 by The New York Times and Siena University indicates widespread public resistance to expanding physical infrastructure for artificial intelligence across the United States. The survey of 1,503 likely US midterm voters shows that a majority oppose the construction of new data center facilities in the country.
Political Division Over Infrastructure
Overall, 61% of polled voters opposed the construction of AI data centers, while 34% expressed support. Disagreements split along political affiliations, with 75% of voters who backed Democrats in 2024 opposing new facilities compared to 18% who supported them. Among independent voters, 60% opposed construction while 36% supported it. Republican voters showed tighter division, with 49% favoring new data center projects and 47% opposing them.
Environmental Strains Lead Voter Concerns
Specific worries regarding physical resources and community disruptions dominated voter responses. Water consumption and environmental effects represented the primary concern for 32% of respondents, making it the top issue cited. Impact on local communities and municipal resources followed at 21%, while general skepticism toward AI technology accounted for 18% of answers. Concerns regarding regulatory oversight and local economic or job impacts reached 10% and 9%, respectively.
Support for Restrictions and Regulatory Control
A majority of voters signaled interest in strict oversight, with 56% supporting defined limits on future data center development and 38% advocating for a complete ban on construction. When asked which political party they trusted to manage data center issues, 42% favored Republicans while 40% trusted Democrats. Despite strong opposition to individual facilities, respondents noted that data center expansion remains a lower overall priority than broader economic and foreign policy issues.
AI-generated editorial illustration; not a documentary photograph.
SIGNAL TITANS
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