This article recaps a TechCrunch Equity podcast episode examining how Democratic victories in the U.S. midterm elections could reshape the technology industry. According to the episode, voters considered 41 data center-related ballot measures on Tuesday; in all but one, the majority voted to impose more restrictions on data center development. Even where data centers were not directly on the ballot, they were a major talking point, and newly elected Democratic governors and congressmembers are likely to support additional regulation. The episode notes that OpenAI is already trying to rebrand data centers, and that the election results could bring increased government scrutiny of Big Tech.

The episode also covers several other industry developments: whether Google’s first satellite data center is ushering in an orbital data center future; whether major layoffs at design software company Canva and website builder Squarespace can be blamed on AI; Marvell‘s $115 billion acquisition of Lumentum, described as one of the largest deals in history; CrowdStrike‘s acquisition of two AI security startups; and NBCUniversal‘s investment in Indian microdrama startup Elo Elo and what it means for the media landscape.