Report: U.S. election to cost $2.6 billion

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The off-presidential year elections in the United States will cost some $2.6 billion, a non-partisan political watchdog predicts.

The Center for Responsive Politics said the 472 federal elections being contested on Nov. 7 will be the most expensive non-presidential election campaign and some $400 million, 18 percent, more costly than the 2002 voting.

"Barring a scandal sinking your opponent -- which has happened a number of times this year -- you simply cannot win a seat in the House without $1 million or more -- or millions more for the Senate," said Sheila Krumholz, Center for Responsive Politics' acting executive director.

The center said Republicans will spend about $1.4 billion and Democrats $1.2 billion. Lawyers, the real estate industry, Wall Street and "contributors who list their occupations as 'retired'" were the largest sources of funds, the center said.

The Center for Responsive Politics said it would release its full report Wednesday.