Data center backlash fuels votes for change, stock market swing

Concern over AI and misgivings about data center construction helped drive votes for change in the midterm election — and have fueled stock market volatility that experts say is likely to continue.

Investors are worried that the political shift in Congress could slow the buildout of data centers that power AI, potentially throttling one of the economy's main growth engines.

Voters on Tuesday passed at least 44 of 47 measures proposed across the country to restrict data centers — from outright bans to temporary moratoriums — with a few still pending.