Small Wisconsin Town Fights Back Against Trump's AI Push

Port Washington residents to vote on referendum to limit data center development

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:49pm

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An abstract, fragmented painting of a futuristic data center structure in overlapping geometric shapes and bold, contrasting colors, conceptually representing the grassroots resistance to the growth of AI facilities.A small Wisconsin town's vote to limit data center development could inspire a nationwide movement against the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure.Today in Milwaukee

A small Wisconsin city upended by a data center backed by President Donald Trump is set to vote Tuesday on a referendum that could reshape grassroots resistance to AI projects nationwide. The vote in Port Washington, a lakeside town of roughly 12,000 people just north of Milwaukee, appears to be the first time any U.S. municipality will go to the ballot to challenge data center development.

Why it matters

The referendum is part of a growing movement to oppose the construction of large AI data centers, with at least three other American cities preparing anti-AI referendums of their own this year. It marks an aggressive new tactic in the escalating battle between local communities and Big Tech's AI ambitions, which have been heavily promoted by the Trump administration.

The details

If the Port Washington referendum passes, it would not actually stop the proposed $15 billion, 1.3-gigawatt data center campus from OpenAI and Oracle. Instead, it would require city leaders to obtain voter approval before awarding developers lucrative tax incentives for future projects. This could potentially obstruct the development of additional AI infrastructure 'Stargate' megaprojects that the companies are planning with Trump's support.

  • The referendum vote is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • Last year, multiple state-level proposals to standardize rules for data centers stalled amid partisan division.

The players

Port Washington

A lakeside town of roughly 12,000 people just north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

OpenAI

An artificial intelligence research company that is planning a $15 billion, 1.3-gigawatt data center campus in Port Washington.

Oracle

A technology company that is partnering with OpenAI on the planned data center project in Port Washington.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who has heavily promoted the development of AI infrastructure projects across the country.

Tony Evers

The Democratic Governor of Wisconsin who signaled he would veto a Republican-led proposal to regulate data centers in the state.

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What’s next

If the referendum passes on Tuesday, it would allow Port Washington residents to potentially obstruct future data center projects by requiring city leaders to obtain voter approval before awarding developers lucrative tax incentives.

The takeaway

This vote in Port Washington highlights the growing grassroots resistance to the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, especially in smaller communities that feel overwhelmed by the scale and impact of these 'AI factory' data centers. The outcome could provide a blueprint for other towns and cities looking to assert more local control over the development of transformative new technologies.