The influenza pandemic of 1918 lowered voter turnout, but it was not the primary factor determining the outcome of the midterm elections.

“But, did that swing the election? I have not run the numbers, I'll tell you that right there. I have not run the numbers and probably never will. But, my gut sense is that there is a lot more going on ideologically in that election that that made the difference, not so much the lower turnout.”