Of 47 US data centers, 46 support restrictions... Why comparing water usage is difficult

U.S. local ballots delivered 46 outcomes favoring data-center development restrictions out of 47 decided measures in 2026, according to Ballotpedia data as of Nov. 4, with 41 measures voted across 10 states on Nov. 3. The 46 include both approved restriction or stricter-requirement measures and rejected pro-development measures, so they do not represent 46 outright bans, and some are non-binding advisory votes that may not translate into actual permitting halts. The results signal mounting local resistance to data-center buildouts even as demand for computing capacity surges. The article also notes that comparing facilities' water use is difficult because cooling methods and measurement scopes differ, making simple daily gallon figures unreliable. Watch for how binding versus advisory outcomes affect actual permits and for standardized water-use disclosure as scrutiny of resource consumption intensifies.