A majority of New Jersey voters are increasingly concerned about the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, with 56% stating they would support banning data centers in their own communities, according to a new Stockton University poll released Tuesday.
The poll, conducted by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy, highlights a growing tension between the state’s ambition to become a global AI hub and public anxiety regarding energy costs, environmental sustainability, and job security.
New Jersey voters remain wary of the rapid acceleration of AI technology. According to the data, nearly 3 in 4 voters (74%) believe AI will eliminate more jobs than it creates. Only 7% of respondents believe the technology will be a net job creator.
Public sentiment regarding the personal impact of AI is also trending downward. A plurality of 41% of voters believe increased use of AI will make their lives worse, up from 36% in a similar 2024 poll.
While the Murphy administration has previously offered tax incentives to attract “hyperscale” facilities—such as the project currently underway in Vineland—local opposition is mounting. Pemberton Township recently became the first New Jersey municipality to pass a formal ban on data center construction, a sentiment that seems to be shared statewide.
The poll found that 56% of voters favor local bans, with higher support among Democrats (64%) than Republicans (46%) or Independents (54%). Furthermore, nearly half of respondents (49%) believe these facilities do more harm than good to their host communities.
One of the primary drivers of opposition is the potential impact on New Jersey’s utility infrastructure.
- Electricity Costs: 81% of voters expressed concern about data centers driving up electricity prices.
- Environmental Impact: 76% are concerned about the environmental toll, specifically regarding high energy and water usage.
“The growth of data centers anywhere in the region will only add to existing demand pressures,” Alyssa Maurice, assistant director of the Hughes Center said. This is particularly sensitive in a state where nearly half of residents have reported adjusting everyday spending to afford rising utility bills.
While there is significant opposition to development, voters showed strong support for aggressive regulatory measures:
- “Bring Your Own Power”: 84% support requiring data centers to supply their own new sources of power rather than relying on the existing grid.
- Efficiency Standards: 81% support requiring stricter environmental and energy efficiency standards.
- Incentives: 72% oppose offering state tax breaks or subsidies to technology companies for data center development.
“The findings highlight the challenge facing policymakers as they try to balance economic growth tied to AI infrastructure with growing public concern about costs and community impact,” Maurice added.
Methodology The poll of 642 registered New Jersey voters was conducted from April 21-27, 2026, using a combination of live telephone interviews and text-to-web responses. The data were weighted to reflect the state’s demographics, and the poll carries a margin of error of +/- 3.9 percentage points. For full results, visit stockton.edu/hughes-center.
