On a statewide level, Gov. Rick Scott finished one of the most hard-fought political fights of the year with a lead over Democrat Charlie Crist greater than his scant victory four years ago. But the gap in Sarasota County between the Republican governor and his challenger was closer than it was in 2010, even though he still could put the county in his victory column?

The explanation? Both parties in Sarasota County in this election cycle showed a sophistication with Get Out The Vote efforts impressive both when compared to historic showings and when contrasted against efforts throughout the state of Florida. An election analysis by SRQ Media Group showed both parties were able to draw their own voters out at greater rates than the state's turnout as a whole.

Democratic turnout in Sarasota County for the Nov. 4 contest was 58.43 percent, considerably less than the 65.72 percent turnout for Sarasota County Republicans, but much more than the 50.51 percent statewide turnout. In advance of the election. Immediately after the election, Democratic Party of Sarasota Chairwoman Rita Ferrandino said the party did its part to close the gap between Crist and Scott. "We would have been happier and preferred to have won Sarasota for Democrats, but we were proud given the onslaught that we held on," she said.

In fact, the gap between Crist and Scott was just 4,972 in Sarasota County, compared to a 6,538-vote win for Scott here in 2010 over Democrat Alex Sink.

But what makes the closing of the gap more striking is that Republicans gained here as well. Scott took in just 73,089 votes in 2010 but 78,678 votes this go. In fact, the 73,706 votes for Crist here would have been a narrow win over Scott's 2010 numbers. "I give the Democrats credit for that," said Joe Gruters, chairman of the Republican Party of Sarasota.

It wasn't just voter enthusiasm. Absentee ballots, a form of voting in which party mechanisms can make a big difference, saw strong showings with both parties.  Before the election, 19,528 Democratic voters mailed in ballots in Sarasota County. Republicans saw 24,973 absentee ballots cast by their voters in the county, though Crist in fact won the absentee vote here.

SRQ Media Group will further explore election returns at a Where The Votes Are event this morning, when Senior Editor Jacob Ogles will discuss his findings with attendees. Doors open for the event at 7:30am at SRQ's 331 S. Pineapple Ave. headquarters in Sarasota. The event is free and open to the public.