Technology has become part of the political conversation heading into the 2026 midterm elections. Alongside affordability, voters and campaigns are confronting questions about data center development, AI safety, surveillance and how California might tax billionaires.
The election on November 3rd will help determine the scope of President Donald Trump’s power during his final two years in office. Its results are also expected to influence what Congress prioritizes and what voters care about as the 2028 presidential election approaches.
Data center growth brings local costs into focus
The rapid expansion of data centers has stirred opposition in communities across the country. These large server facilities require infrastructure, and residents are concerned that the associated construction and expenses could bring higher energy costs. The issue has also become part of congressional and gubernatorial campaigns.
Texas offers examples of how local disputes can become election issues. Texas NAACP president Gary Bledsoe has described opposition to projects around Austin and nearby communities. In Taylor, residents are fighting plans for a data center on a site intended to be a park. Temple officials face recall attempts over developments, while San Marcos became the first city in all of Texas to ban data centers.
California has a separate debate over Proposition 45. The measure would shorten state-mandated environmental assessment timelines for eligible projects and make it harder for residents to challenge them in court. Supporters say it could help address the housing shortage and meet rising electricity demand with renewable energy projects. Environmental groups and some legal experts warn that developers backing it could use the changes to avoid public scrutiny.
AI policy and election integrity
AI regulation is likely to remain on Congress’s agenda. The question is not only how to set safeguards, but also how to respond to concerns about the infrastructure that supports AI and the data center backlash tied to it.
Companies and political groups are already engaging with those questions during the election. OpenAI has set up an Election Operations Center to monitor possible misinformation and efforts to disrupt voting, as well as reports of unexpected behavior from its models and suspected violations of its platform terms. The center is intended to operate until all votes are counted.
Political spending also reflects the contest over AI’s future. Leading the Future, backed by venture capitalist Marc Andreessen and OpenAI President Greg Brockman, has spent $45 million in a year. Anthropic-backed Public First Action says it has raised $80 million. Both groups have funded Democratic and Republican-aligned groups. Tomorrow Together, another super PAC, launched $4 million in ads for battleground House races focused on data center development and AI safety.
California’s wealth tax debate reaches tech companies
A proposed California billionaire tax has prompted companies and executives to consider how it could affect them. Meta’s board issued special shares for Mark Zuckerberg, who had been evaluating whether to relocate his primary residence if California’s Proposition 40 passes.
The shares let Zuckerberg sell non-voting stock for liquidity without reducing his voting control. In return, he committed to remain in California, or wherever Meta is headquartered, for eight years while he holds a full-time leadership role. The arrangement shows how a ballot measure can prompt decisions about corporate structure and executive residence before voters decide its fate.
Election results will shape what comes next
These issues connect local decisions to national policy. A debate over a proposed facility can involve electricity costs and public review; a discussion about AI can span safety, company conduct and the infrastructure needed to run systems. Campaigns and political spending are giving those questions visibility during the midterms.
The election outcome will help shape the next Congress’s approach to AI regulation and data center opposition. It may also influence which technology leaders are called to testify on Capitol Hill. For voters, the races offer a chance to weigh technology’s effects alongside the broader affordability concerns expected to define the year.