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FACT BRIEF

Did gas prices in Wisconsin fall by at least a dollar in the two weeks after the 2022 midterm elections?

By Jacob Alabab-Moser
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NO

Wisconsin gas prices fell significantly in the two weeks following the 2022 midterm elections — but not by a dollar. The average statewide decrease was around 50 cents, from $3.74/gallon to $3.32/gallon, between Nov. 10 — two days after Election Day — and Nov. 22, according to AAA data. 

Gas prices rose rapidly in the week before the election, with AAA registering a one-day jump between Nov. 1 and 2 of nearly a quarter in the average cost of gas in southern Wisconsin.

Prices decreased significantly since then, with Wisconsin experiencing the nation's largest weekly decrease in the week ending on Nov. 21.

Experts say gas prices often drop in the fall, unrelated to elections but rather from lower demand following summer vacation driving season and cheaper "winter-grade" gas. One expert said politicians have “very limited levers” to control gas prices.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Internet Archive AAA Nov. 18 gas prices: See "week ago avg." for Nov. 10 prices
Internet Archive AAA Nov. 29 gas prices: See "week ago avg." for Nov. 22 prices
NBC15 Gas prices really jumped in the past day, AAA numbers show
AAA Gas prices plunge as drivers hit the road for the holiday
NASDAQ True or false? Gas prices always fall during election seasons
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Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.