Marketplace All-in-One
Data centers were on the ballot. They lost.
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- Voters considered more than 40 data-center measures, passed 33 restrictions, and approved only one proposal to allow more data centers.
- Data-center opposition influenced statewide campaigns and congressional races, but a federal moratorium could still be vetoed by President Trump.
- Most employees would rather avoid political discussions at work, so managers should establish that preference rather than impose an outright ban.
- Practicing disagreement over low-stakes issues can prepare coworkers to handle more consequential conflicts constructively.
- Managers and colleagues can support distressed coworkers by acknowledging their emotions while avoiding emotional enmeshment.
Summary
Voters rejected most data-center measures
Marketplace reported that voters considered more than 40 data-center measures around the country. According to the tracking site Data Centers on the Ballot, voters approved 33 provisions restricting data centers, while only one proposal allowing more data centers passed; results for the remaining measures were still pending. The restrictions included data-center moratoriums, limits on the largest facilities, curbs on power use, and advisory measures urging local officials to impose tighter rules.
Anti-data-center sentiment reached statewide races
Nancy Marshall-Ginzer told Kimberly Adams that opposition to data centers was not limited to local ballot questions. Democratic gubernatorial candidates Gina Hinojosa in Texas, Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia, and Amy Acton in Ohio campaigned in favor of moratoriums on data-center development. An NBC exit poll found that 56% of surveyed voters considered data centers a crucial or major factor in their decisions, indicating that the issue had become politically significant beyond individual communities.
Candidates opposing data centers won, but Congress faces a veto obstacle
Marshall-Ginzer said some congressional Democrats who campaigned against data centers also won, including James Talarico in Texas and Sherrod Brown in Ohio. Some candidates supported a national moratorium, raising the possibility of federal legislation in addition to local restrictions. She cautioned, however, that even if both the House and Senate approved such a measure, President Trump could veto it.
Adam Grant advises workplaces not to ban political conversations
Organizational psychologist Adam Grant said about 70% of people surveyed by his colleagues at BetterUp Labs would rather avoid political discussion at work. He recommended that coworkers establish that preference openly instead of assuming everyone wants to debate. For managers, Grant warned that banning political conversations could backfire, prompting employees to resist, and suggested asking how people are doing emotionally and offering support instead.
Small disagreements can train coworkers for harder ones
Grant said managers can help politically divided teams by encouraging low-stakes disagreements, giving employees practice expressing different views without disliking one another. He argued that people often avoid disagreement to keep the peace, then lack the skills to handle a major conflict when one becomes unavoidable. Debating easier subjects can build what he called the “muscle” needed for tougher disagreements without forcing employees into immediate political arguments.
Acknowledgment helps colleagues without requiring political debate
When a coworker is visibly upset about an election outcome, Grant recommended “emotional acknowledgement”: describe what you observe, such as “you seem stressed,” and ask how the person is doing. He cited a manager who told a team, “It’s okay to call in sick. It’s also okay to call in sad.” Grant distinguished empathy from enmeshment: colleagues can say “I see you. I’m here for you” without absorbing another person’s distress so deeply that they can no longer help.
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Show notes
Voter frustration with the economy helped the Democrats win control of Congress. But data centers were also on the ballot yesterday, and they got a big thumbs down from voters. Voters were deciding on more than 40 data center measures. According to the tracking website Data Centers on the Ballot, voters passed 33 provisions to restrict data centers. Only one proposal to allow more data centers passed. Plus, the day after midterms, how should you navigate political conversations at work?
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