Port Washington, Wisconsin voters have overwhelmingly approved a referendum that mandates public approval for any future data center projects exceeding $10 million in value. The measure passed with 2,710 votes in favor and 1,371 against, reflecting over 50% voter turnout among the city’s 8,257 registered voters.
The initiative, a first of its kind in Wisconsin, was prompted by an $8 billion data center project for Oracle, OpenAI, and Vantage Data Centers. The proposed facility would receive more than $450 million in property tax breaks and be exempt from state sales taxes on construction, servers, and electricity—estimated to consume as much power as the city of Los Angeles once operational.
“Tonight, democracy worked the way it’s supposed to,” said Christine Le Jeune, a member of Great Lakes Neighbors Incorporated. “Over 1,000 residents signed the petition that put this measure on the ballot, and tonight Port Washington voters spoke with one clear voice. The people deserve a seat at the table when their tax dollars are on the line.”
A recent Marquette poll indicates 69% of Wisconsin voters believe data centers cost more than they provide in benefits. Republican candidate for governor and Congressman Tom Tiffany has vowed to end subsidies for such facilities if elected.
The referendum does not stop construction of the Trump-backed center, which was first announced in October 2025, but requires public approval for future tax incentives on projects exceeding $10 million. Brad Tietz, state policy director for the Data Center Coalition, stated he is unaware of any similar ballot measures at the local level, warning that “if this trend continues and grows, it’s going to have significant consequences for our economic competitiveness [and] our national security.”
However, organizers emphasized their focus on responsible development. Carri Prom, a Port Washington resident and co-founder of Great Lakes Neighbors United, clarified: “None of us are specifically anti-development. We’re not even really anti-tech. It’s just that we want responsible development, and we want responsible tech moving forward.”
