Voters Decide 435 House Seats and 10 State Data Center Bills

Gallup polling indicates that the economy, health care, and the war in Iran are the top priorities for voters in the upcoming elections, ranking above climate change among eleven listed issues. Despite this ranking, 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are up for election on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Democrats require a net gain of four seats to secure control of the Senate.

The midterm elections occur after two years of federal climate rollbacks under the Trump administration. These changes include a withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, a rollback of the landmark endangerment finding, and new leases for oil and gas drilling on public lands. Malcolm Araos, an assistant professor at New York University's Wagner School of Public Service, noted that a new government could halt further damage. He stated that while a new Congress or Senate cannot reverse many existing rollbacks, it can investigate the repeals and prevent similar actions in the future.

State-level races have become the primary focus for environmental advocates. Geoffrey Henderson, an assistant professor of environmental policy and planning at the University of Michigan, explained that a Democratic trifecta, which involves winning the governor's office and majorities in both legislative chambers, creates opportunities for transformative policy. He cited Michigan as an example of a state where a shift toward a trifecta could unlock major policy changes. Since President Trump took office, California, Virginia, and Colorado have advanced climate policies despite federal setbacks.

Specific ballot measures will determine local energy and utility rules in several states. Colorado voters will consider Amendment 82, which establishes a constitutional right to buy and sell natural gas. Critics argue that passing this measure could promote fossil fuel reliance and challenge existing state climate policies. In Michigan, a ballot measure aims to limit utility companies' influence on political campaigns. These companies have previously lobbied against the expansion of community solar projects.

Eugene, Ore., voters will decide whether to impose a tax on large corporate retailers to fund climate resilience projects. The measure is modeled after a similar program that passed in Portland in 2018. Henderson described these ballot measures as tests of how each political side will approach state-level climate policy.

The ongoing war in Iran and the expansion of data centers present additional intersections with climate policy. Araos suggested that periods of high energy costs can drive a shift toward renewable energy. He noted that the war highlighted the fragility of fossil fuel supplies, leading many communities worldwide to seek renewable energy for greater security. In the U.S., voters in 10 states, including California, Kansas, and Ohio, will vote on measures to curb data center development in their communities.

Henderson stated that data centers have generated grassroots opposition across party lines. Climate groups align with this opposition because data centers are major consumers of energy and water. He characterized the issue as a combination of climate, land use, cost, and water availability, creating a chance for climate advocates to join a larger coalition.