AI Data Centers Top of Mind for Voters as Midterms Approach—What to Know

Though midterms still lie six months out, lawmakers in some key midterm races are already hurrying to stake out a position on the issue.

An Amazon Web Services data center is seen near single-family homes in Stone Ridge, Va., on July 17, 2024. Virginia alone has a combined total of 711 currently operational, under-construction, and planned centers. Nathan Howard/Getty Images

An Amazon Web Services data center is seen near single-family homes in Stone Ridge, Va., on July 17, 2024. Virginia alone has a combined total of 711 currently operational, under-construction, and planned centers. Nathan Howard/Getty Images

In September 2025, the board of Saline Township, Michigan, gathered for a vote on a proposed $7 billion artificial intelligence (AI) mega-project in their area.

Four of the small township’s five board members rejected the bid by OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital to purchase a 575-acre plot of land for development.