Voters Take Aim at AI Data Centers: An Oklahoma Mayor Is Recalled and 15 Ohio Communities Pass Bans or Limits
Ballotpedia counts 46 data-center-related recall efforts against 83 officials this year. Elon Musk posted that "data centers in space" look appealing.
By Watchman Report staff ·
Yukon, Oklahoma, Mayor Brian Pillmore became the fourth official in the U.S. to be removed from office in a recall election tied to data centers, Ballotpedia reported Wednesday. Similar recalls in Mason, Michigan, and San Angelo, Texas, were uncalled. Ballotpedia counts 46 data-center-related recall efforts against 83 officials in 10 states so far in 2026.
In Ohio, 15 municipalities passed bans or other restrictions on data centers, Euronews reported. More than 50% of respondents to an NBC exit poll said AI and data centers were a "crucial or a major factor" in their decision to vote, according to Euronews.
In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa, who defeated Gov. Greg Abbott, had pledged to temporarily halt new data center construction until legal safeguards are in place; Abbott later paused permits pending an audit, Euronews said. Elon Musk, who Euronews said put $474 million into backing Republicans, wrote on X after the results: "data centers in space looking pretty appealing right now."
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