What turnout in Florida and Wisconsin says about the political moment

CNN - Apr 6th, 2025

Democrats achieved significant gains in recent off-cycle elections, notably in Florida and Wisconsin, where they reduced Republican margins by double digits compared to 2024 general election results. These outcomes suggest a more engaged Democratic base, with increased turnout and crossover voting noted in key districts. Notably, candidates Gay Valimont and Josh Weil made notable inroads in traditionally Republican strongholds in Florida, while Judge Susan Crawford outperformed previous Democratic benchmarks in Wisconsin.

The results indicate potential momentum for Democrats heading into the 2026 midterms, though the impact of these special election successes on future elections remains uncertain. Historically, strong performances in special elections have not always translated to general election victories, as seen in the 2018 midterms versus the 2024 general election. However, the high turnout and evidence of Republican crossover voting in these contests could signal a shift in voter dynamics, offering Democrats a potential advantage in the upcoming midterm elections.

Florida Democrats Wisconsin Republicans Susan Crawford Josh Weil Gay Valimont Special Elections Voter Turnout Midterm Elections

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant analysis of recent election results in Florida and Wisconsin, focusing on Democratic overperformance and voter turnout trends. While it effectively highlights potential implications for future elections, the lack of specific data references and source transparency limits its accuracy and balance. The narrative is clear and engaging, making it accessible to a general audience, but could benefit from a more comprehensive exploration of both parties' perspectives. Overall, the story offers valuable insights into electoral dynamics but requires further verification and sourcing to enhance its credibility and impact.

Accuracy

The story presents several specific claims about recent election results in Florida and Wisconsin, such as Democrats making double-digit gains compared to their 2024 performance and high voter turnout in these off-cycle elections. These claims are generally supported by the data provided, such as the significant shifts in voter margins and the turnout percentages. However, the story requires verification of specific turnout figures, the exact margins of victory, and the extent of crossover voting. While the narrative aligns with known trends in off-cycle elections and special elections, the absence of specific sources or data references reduces the precision and verifiability of these claims.

Balance

The article provides a predominantly Democratic perspective, highlighting their successes and potential advantages in upcoming elections. It mentions Republican concerns about maintaining voter turnout and potential crossover voting but does not delve deeply into the Republican perspective or strategies. This creates a slight imbalance, as the story could benefit from more comprehensive coverage of both parties' viewpoints and strategies to provide a more rounded perspective.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow of information from the description of election results to the analysis of potential implications for future elections. The language is accessible, making it easy for readers to understand the key points and conclusions. However, the lack of specific data references or citations may lead to some confusion about the basis of certain claims.

Source quality

The article does not explicitly cite sources or provide attribution for the data and analysis presented. This lack of transparency in sourcing undermines the reliability and credibility of the information. While the narrative appears consistent with known electoral trends, the absence of identified sources, such as election boards or political analysts, limits the assessment of source quality and authority.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of methodology and data sources. It does not explain how the analysis was conducted or which data sets were used to draw conclusions about voter turnout and electoral margins. Additionally, there is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest or biases, which could affect the impartiality of the reporting. Greater transparency in these areas would enhance the credibility of the analysis.