Data centers weighed heavily on voter decision-making, NBC exit polls claim.

The development of the digital infrastructure sector was one of the key issues for voters during the US midterms, but came behind government corruption, cost of living, immigration enforcement, and the war in Iran.

NBC News, along with a group of other news organizations, conducted exit polling across the country in 45 key states.

Along with multiple other questions, the poll asked: "Thinking about your vote for Congress, how important to you was AI data centers?"

23 percent of respondents called AI data centers crucial, 33 percent a major factor, 31 percent a minor factor, and 13 percent not a factor.

The topic was a bipartisan issue, but leaned significantly towards Democrats. Of those that responded crucial, 67 percent Democrat, 30 percent Republican. For major factor, it was 61 percent, 37 percent. For minor, 46 percent to 53 percent. And for not a factor, it was 31 percent Democrat, 67 percent Republican.

Asked whether they would favor or oppose the construction of a new data center in their community, 24 percent of respondents were in favor (27 percent Democrat to 72 percent Republican), while 76 percent opposed (63 percent Democrat to 35 percent Republican).

Respondents were also generally opposed to AI overall, with 57 percent believing that it will do more to hurt society (62 percent Democrat to 36 percent Republican).

The midterms have seen a blue wave, with Democrats taking the Senate, the House, and notable victories in gubernatorial races, including from anti-data center proponents. At least 43 data center moratoria in some form were voted in favor of.