Some cities may not be able to afford this year's elections. That could hurt Democrats in November.
Why? Because cities may need to make cutbacks on election workers and poll locations. That could lead to longer lines, which would hurt turnout. Lower turnout elections usually favor Republicans. Reuters says one place that could feel a bit effect is Detroit.
Besides raising constitutional questions about whether some people will have enough opportunity to vote, the situation could have an impact on close elections, analysts say.
In 2008, 97 percent of Detroit voters backed Obama, so a polling problem there might affect what could be a close statewide race against Mitt Romney, the likely Republican nominee for president.
Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey told the Detroit Free Press last week it would not be possible to conduct the presidential election for city residents under Democratic Mayor Bing's latest budget, which cuts 2,500 city jobs - roughly 25 percent of the city's work force.
Obama won Michigan in the 2008 election and is favored to defeat Romney there in November, but the vote could be close, analysts say. Romney is the son of a former Michigan governor, and a recent poll showed Obama leading there by just 4 points.
Detroit saw turnout of about 50 percent in 2008, which many observers attributed to the $1.5 million city authorities spent on the election, along with the enthusiasm for Obama's campaign among African Americans.
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