# Climate on the ballot in midterm elections

> As voters head to the polls, climate policy hangs on state races and ballot measures while federal action stalls.
- Title: Climate on the ballot in midterm elections · TIME | Shortify
- Summary: As voters head to the polls, climate policy hangs on state races and ballot measures while federal action stalls. Climate ranks low in voter concerns ahead…
- Keywords: midterm elections, climate policy, trump administration, state elections, ballot measures, renewable energy, data centers, news, world, Climate, ballot, midterm
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/10/30/top-climate-issues-midterm-elections
- Author: Simmone Shah
- Published: 2026-10-30T15:45:17.218+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: midterm elections, climate policy, trump administration, state elections, ballot measures, renewable energy, data centers, news, world
## Climate ranks low in voter concerns
In a recent Gallup poll, voters ranked the economy, health care, and the war in Iran above climate among eleven issues in this election season.
## Trump's climate rollbacks set the stage
The U.S. has faced climate rollbacks under the Trump Administration, including withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, rolling back the endangerment finding, and leasing public lands for oil and gas drilling.
## What a new Congress could do
Malcolm Araos, assistant professor at the Wagner School of Public Service at New York University, says a new Congress or Senate cannot reverse many rollbacks but could investigate why they were repealed and stop future…

> A new government could stop the bleeding.
## State races offer real climate opportunity
With low likelihood of federal climate policy under Trump, environmental advocates are focusing on state elections. Democratic trifectas at state level have led to transformative climate policies in recent history.
## Climate ballot measures across states
Colorado voters will decide on Amendment 82, which would establish a constitutional right to buy and sell natural gas.Michigan voters will decide on limiting utilities from influencing political campaigns.
## Energy crisis opens renewable door
The war in Iran and rising energy costs could create opportunities for renewable energy investments. Many communities worldwide have turned to renewable energy for greater energy security as fossil fuel precarity became clear.
## Data centers become climate battleground
Voters in ten states, including California, Kansas, and Ohio, will decide whether to curb data center development.Climate groups oppose data centers as major energy and water users, joining a broader bipartisan coalition against their expansion.
## Key takeaway

Climate ranks low in voter concerns ahead of the midterms, but state elections and ballot measures offer opportunities for climate advocates to advance policy despite federal rollbacks.