A New York Times/Siena University poll released Tuesday shows that 61% of 1,503 likely voters surveyed in early September oppose the construction of AI data centers, while only 14% strongly support it. The findings, published by The Verge in an article by Senior News Editor Richard Lawler, confirm that AI data centers are broadly unpopular with the American electorate, yet neither major political party has a clear advantage on the issue.
The survey lands in the middle of a widening argument over the physical buildout of artificial intelligence, and it arrives ahead of the recent AI safety slowdown discussion. It also follows other surveys that have shown similar trends. A Gallup poll in May found that 7 in 10 Americans opposed local construction of AI data centers, and an NBC News poll in March showed AI polling lower than ICE.
A Broad but Complicated Opposition
The opposition is not uniform across the electorate. Among 2024 Trump voters, the split was about even: 49% support data center construction and 45% oppose it. Among 2024 Harris voters, 74% oppose construction, and among non-voters, 67% oppose it.
"Poll data confirms what we've already been seeing and what politicians are responding to," Lawler wrote. "AI and data centers are incredibly unpopular."
Of those opposed to data centers, 56% support limits on construction, while 38% prefer a total ban. The reasons for opposition are also revealing: 32% cite environment and water usage, 21% point to impact on local communities, 18% express general distrust or dislike of AI, 10% have regulation concerns, and 9% cite the economy.
A Low Priority for Most Voters
Despite the strong opposition, AI and data centers ranked low on the list of issues voters saw as most important for their midterm vote. For most demographics, less than 1% picked AI or data centers as their most important issue. The exception was the 18-29 age group, where 3% chose it. The most popular issues for voters were the economy, foreign policy, inflation, and opposition to Trump or Republicans.
"AI and data centers ranked low on the list of issues voters saw as most important," Lawler noted. "The list of reasons for opposition is also revealing."
Neither Party Has Much of an Edge
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On the question of which party is trusted to handle AI and data centers, 40% of the 554 respondents favored Democrats, 42% favored Republicans, and 18% did not know or refused to answer.
"Neither major party has much of an edge on the issue," Lawler wrote. "Voters in either party still overwhelmingly picked their own party as the one they trusted to handle the issue."
The two-point gap between the parties sits well inside the share of voters who gave no answer at all, leaving the question of partisan trust effectively unsettled.
A Contentious Political Issue
AI and data centers have become a contentious political issue, and politicians are responding to public opinion. The Verge has been covering the buildout extensively.
Related articles include "If you want to know what the data center occupation looks like, visit Loudoun County, Virginia"; "AI backlash is coming for elections"; and "The right-wing boomers protesting data centers have a lot in common with the left."
More in the series "All the latest updates on AI data centers" includes "This week in the big AI data center buildout" by Jay Peters on Sep 9, "Is this the future of America?" by Lauren Feiner on Sep 2, and "A Microsoft-backed data center has reportedly been running on unpermitted generators" by Justine Calma on Aug 28.
Richard Lawler joined The Verge in 2021 after several years at Engadget. The article was published on Sep 15, 2026, at 11:34 PM UTC.