Spotlight on an initiative: Banning mega data centers

Journey with a campaign that kicked off in March 2026, when a rural Ohio group presented a petition to the Ohio Attorney General's office. Watch the process unfold, as the group will send us video updates to capture key steps in the process. Will voters get a say at the November 2026 elections? We will learn together!

Photo credit: Danielle Niccole Kinhalt and Taylor Dryden

Meet the Team:

A true grassroots effort, the team coordinating the petition are Southern Ohio residents bringing attention to potential harm to their communities.

Their Mission:

Get a constitutional amendment to prohibit data centers larger than 25 megawatts.

Date: 4/2/26

Ohio Ballot Board evaluates for one subject
~Emily and Nikki

April 2, 2026 - Ohio Ballot Board evaluates data center initiative for single subject

Date: 3/26/26

Attorney General certifies petition title and summary
~Taylor and Skye

March 26 - AG Certifies: Spotlight on Ohio's citizen initiative to ban large data centers

Date: 3/23/26

How the initiative got started
~Emily and Danielle

Meet Ohio’s latest ballot initiative proposal: banning mega data centers