TLDR
- Goldman Sachs says states weighing tougher data centre rules hold about 45% of planned US capacity.
- Texas alone accounts for roughly 25% of that planned capacity.
- Representative Yassamin Ansari wants a pause on advanced AI development after the November 3 midterms.
- An NBC News exit poll found 76% of voters opposed a new data centre in their community.
- Bernstein cut price targets on seven Bitcoin mining companies by as much as 54%.
The November 3 midterm elections have put new attention on where America’s AI data centres will be built. Goldman Sachs says state and local results could lead to temporary limits on new projects. The bank points to Texas as the state to watch.
JUST IN: 🇺🇸 Goldman Sachs says Democratic wins could threaten 45% of U.S. data center expansion. pic.twitter.com/bJ5t0VXLK3
— Whale Insider (@WhaleInsider) November 4, 2026
Goldman estimates that states considering tougher data centre rules account for about 45% of planned US capacity. Texas makes up roughly 25% of the planned total. That makes it the single largest piece of the picture.
Democrat Gina Hinojosa won the Texas governor’s race. She has supported pausing new data centre approvals until stronger protections are in place. Those protections would cover electricity customers, water supplies and nearby communities.
Georgia and Michigan are also seeing similar political pressure. Goldman did not describe those states in detail. It said the restrictions it expects are likely to be short-lived.
BREAKING: 🇺🇸 Democrats face a push for a “day 1” ban on AI superintelligence, with up to 20 YEARS in prison for violators.
Arizona Rep. Yassamin Ansari says a pause on advanced AI and a ban on artificial superintelligence must be “top of the Democratic agenda on day 1.”
A bill… pic.twitter.com/ilNLp3dMLP
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) November 5, 2026
The bank also noted that it had earlier forecast strong growth in US data centre power demand through 2027. That forecast reflected spending plans from large technology companies. Delays could change the timing of those plans for Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet and Meta.
Chipmakers could see changes in the timing of orders too. Nvidia is one company named as exposed to that shift. Goldman did not say how large any change might be.
Voters Cite AI and Data Centres at the Ballot Box
An NBC News exit poll gave a look at how voters felt. It found 56% said AI and data centres were a crucial or major factor in their congressional vote. It also found 76% opposed building a new data centre in their local community.
Concerns raised around these projects include electricity costs, water use and environmental effects. Safety of the technology is another worry. The poll did not rank these concerns.
After the election, Arizona Democratic Representative Yassamin Ansari called for an immediate pause on advanced AI development. She also called for a permanent ban on artificial superintelligence. She said this should be an early priority for her party.
Her call builds on a bill from Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Greg Casar. They introduced the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act on September 23. The bill is not law.
The bill would permanently bar AI systems that could surpass human intelligence in most areas or escape human control. It would also pause advanced AI development until a new federal regulator sets safety rules. That regulator would also run a formal model review process.
The bill would create a cabinet-level Department of Artificial Intelligence. This department would monitor powerful AI systems. It would also oversee the removal of dangerous capabilities.
Companies that deliberately get around the rules could face what the bill calls a corporate death penalty. Individuals could face up to 20 years in prison. Its chances of passing remain unclear.
President Donald Trump has generally favoured speeding up American AI development. That stands in the way of broad federal limits.
Bitcoin Miners Face Texas Questions
Several publicly traded Bitcoin mining companies have moved into AI computing and data centre work. Texas is a major base for many of them. The state’s political shift has added to their uncertainty.
Bernstein recently lowered price targets for seven Bitcoin mining companies, by as much as 54%. The firm cited financing challenges and uncertainty around Texas. Some miners already hold power connections and approved sites. Those operators could gain if new rules limit competing supply.
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