SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Voter turnout was just over 57% in Seminole and Orange counties in the 2026 midterm election, with Democrats winning several local races and making gains in Seminole County compared with 2024.
In 2024, Seminole County gave Republicans a clean sweep, voting for GOP candidates in all state legislative races within its borders. This year, the county went blue in all but one race. The governor and Senate races also went blue in Seminole County.
“People aren’t happy with the economic climate, culture wars. They want to be able to put food on the table,” said Andrew Lisa, chairman of the Seminole County Democratic Party. “I think that is what a lot of candidates locally and nationwide focused on and the proof is in the pudding.”
According to the Seminole County Democratic Party, Democratic voter turnout increased this year compared with Republican turnout. Lisa credited support from independents, no-party-affiliation voters and some Republicans, as well as increased outreach to Spanish-speaking voters.
Steve Collins, chairman of the Seminole County Republican Party, said the party saw just over 62% Republican voter turnout. Republicans make up about one-third of the county’s registered voters, and Collins said the party has to do better.
“We have to connect with these people, show them how we can be better for them,” Collins said.
Statewide, Republicans won the Senate and governor races, but Democrats did end the Republican supermajority in the state Legislature.
Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, said the close race numbers leave her optimistic about the future of Florida and said the state is back to being purple.
Across the state, more than 8 million registered voters cast a ballot.
Spectrum News reached out to the Florida Republican Party and is still waiting for a statement regarding the election results.