Voter Backlash and Legal Limits: Local Opposition to Data Centers Gains Traction in Ohio and Utah

A data center proposed in Guernsey County, Ohio, could move forward despite opposition from county commissioners and a newly formed citizen group, as local officials acknowledge they have no legal power to block the project. Meanwhile, in Utah, state Senate President J. Stuart Adams lost his Republican primary on June 25, 2026, after championing a massive data center beside the Great Salt Lake, signaling growing political risk for politicians who back such developments.

The Ohio project, first presented by Smart Energy Partners and real estate agent Jason Miller on June 9, remains in early stages. Commissioners requested details on economic and environmental impacts, but under Ohio law, counties can only regulate land use if voters approve a local zoning resolution. Since no such resolution exists, commissioners believe a private landowner can sell to a developer without county permission.

Ohio County Commissioners Lack Authority to Block Project

In a statement, Guernsey County commissioners said there is “not enough positive economic growth” to justify support and will not offer tax abatements or infrastructure assistance. Board president Jack Marlin stated, “Those things won’t happen.” However, the commissioners concede they cannot stop the project outright. On June 19, more than 50 local residents met to form a citizen pressure group called Guernsey County & Ohio: Data Center Developments. Co-leader Amy Kissinger said the group aims to fill the “regulatory void through direct community organization” and protect agricultural land, infrastructure, and ecological resources.

Utah Primary Signals Growing Political Risk

The Utah election outcome marks one of the strongest examples of data center opposition affecting elections. Adams, a high-ranking Republican, faced voter backlash over his support for a large data center near the shrinking Great Salt Lake, an environmental flashpoint. His loss suggests that data center siting decisions can mobilize voters concerned about water use, land consumption, and ecological impact. The two cases underscore the varied avenues of opposition: legal limitations on local government, citizen activism, and electoral consequences.

What comes next? In Guernsey County, the developer may proceed without local incentives but still faces organized resistance. The citizen group plans to research impacts and push for state-level zoning reforms. In Utah, the data center project may face renewed scrutiny following Adams' defeat. Nationwide, these events signal that data center developers must navigate not only permitting processes but also grassroots political movements that can influence elections and public policy.