The $15bn Stargate data center in Port Washington catches stray as residents oppose future projects in first-of-its-kind referendum. Residents overwhelmingly voted to restrict future data centers. Furthermore, backers said could offer a blueprint for AI infrastructure opponents around the country. Voters in the Milwaukee suburb of Port Washington approved the measure by a roughly 2-to-1 margin, according to unofficial results.

City residents who sponsored the voter initiative said it marks an escalation of tactics to oppose the massive facilities needed to power artificial intelligence. Furthermore, it could inspire activists in other towns to follow suit.

“This is really setting a precedent,” Christine Le Jeune, founder of the nonprofit Great Lakes Neighbors United, said in an interview Tuesday evening. “This is something that other communities can look to.” At least three other communities around the country are set to vote on similar ballot measures targeting data center projects later this year. Other major data center projects taking shape across the United States include Project Caprock in Texas. Despite the setbacks, projects such as Project Caprock show data centers are still advancing. However, Texas officials are also worried with the growth as state-owned ERCOT notes that such projects may strain the power grid.

Outlook on the $15bn Stargate Data Center in Port Washington

The Stargate data center campus in Port Washington is not actually derailed by the massive opposition voting. However, it catches a stray as it nerfs future expansion and potential of the campus. Nonetheless, the vote takes aim at future projects by requiring city leaders to obtain voter approval before awarding developers lucrative tax incentives. Representatives for OpenAI and Oracle did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Le Jeune told POLITICO she and other data center skeptics in Port Washington were concerned about transparency, noise pollution, freshwater use and increased energy costs surrounding the Stargate project. Local business groups that opposed the measure argued it would stifle all kinds of future development, beyond just data center project.

However, the referendum could be frozen within days as part of an ongoing court challenge. Even if the Port Washington measure is struck down, it won’t be the last time U.S. voters weigh data center-related policies at the ballot. Residents in Monterey Park, California, will decide in June on a measure seeking to indefinitely ban new data center construction within city limits.

Project Overview

• Name: Stargate Data Center Campus
• Type: AI infrastructure / Hyperscale data center
• Investment: $15 billion
• Status: Existing campus operational; future expansion restricted

Key Stakeholders

• Backers: OpenAI, Oracle
• Opposition: Great Lakes Neighbors United
• Leader: Christine Le Jeune (founder)
• Authority: City of Port Washington, Wisconsin

Location

• Site: Port Washington, Milwaukee suburb
• Region: Great Lakes, United States
• Feature: Freshwater access for cooling

Scope

• AI-focused data center campus
• Hyperscale computing infrastructure
• High energy and water consumption
• Expansion now voter-restricted

Funding Model

• Private investment ($15bn)
• Municipal tax incentives required
• Voter approval now mandatory for incentives

Status

• Current: Operational / under construction
• Referendum: Passed 2-to-1 margin
• Impact: Blocks future tax incentives without voter approval
• Legal Risk: Court challenge may freeze referendum

Key Risks

• Strong community opposition
• Transparency and noise concerns
• Freshwater and energy cost fears
• Legal uncertainty

Strategic Significance

• First: U.S. voter referendum restricting data centers
• Blueprint: Tactic for national opposition groups
• Trend: Three+ communities voting similarly this year
• Signal: Monterey Park, CA voting June ban