The movie theaters won't carry movies unless there are screenings available at night," Bartnicki told POLITICO. "People come here because they love cinema."

Republicans believe Democrats don't appreciate how badly theatergoers suffer during peak viewing hours and argued it could hurt Dems when turnout inevitably dips as Election Day draws nearer. Democrats scoffed at that assertion.

"Democrats hate films because movies remind people what democracy looks like," Reid spokeswoman Kristen Orthman said in an email. "Moviegoers deserve better than cynical