With the 2026 U.S. general midterm elections approaching fast, uncertainty toward what the elections are about is a common trend within CSUN students and young voters. Lack of awareness toward the midterm elections may not only discourage students from voting but may also lead to life-changing results.
For CSUN kinesiology alumni and inspiring physical therapist, Jasmin De La Cruz, the midterm elections are a grey area.
“I’m not really well versed on how the process actually works,” said De La Cruz. “ I’m always hesitant to vote, especially in any election cause I don’t know what’s the real truth.”
The midterm elections mark the halfway point of a president’s term and are essential in determining which party controls Congress, as well as how fast the president can pass legislation and implement policies. This allows U.S. voters to influence these decisions.
If you feel a particular way towards the president’s agenda, now is the time to take action.
The ballot will include candidates for Congress, such as members of the House of Representatives , U.S. Senate, Super Court justices and ballot propositions. The result will either reflect badly on President Trump, or the reverse, depending on if Congress regains seats in the same party as him.
While information about the midterm elections can be easily found on the internet, many young voters, like De La Cruz, question the motives behind what they read and distrust the president’s administration.
“I don’t know if the source I’m reading is biased, like one side or the other, or if it’s completely unbiased and just stating the facts,” said De La Cruz. “I would just like a breakdown of all the propositions and like whoever is running.”
Students with similar concerns can also benefit from the CSUN Election Information page, a useful guide to help get an idea on what to vote on before Election Day.
CalMatters have also published their own 2026 California Voter Guide that provides a thorough breakdown on the propositions expected to appear on the ballot. This includes a summary of the proposition, what it means to be in support or opposed of each proposition, who supports or opposes the proposition, the proposition committees and the ballot text.
Propositions should be very important to students, as any small misunderstanding of a proposition could affect their outcome. I believe many of us have thought at some point why the wording of propositions are hard to understand, making it seem as though they are written to confuse you.
Therefore, breakdowns on the propositions, like CalMatters has, is useful for students, especially the following:
Prop. 1: Authorizes $10 billion in bonds for affordable housing.
Prop. 3: Extends the tax on high incomes to provide permanent funding for schools and health care.
Prop. 38: Authorizes $8.4 billion in bonds for immunology medical research, which may be super important to students interested in health and sciences.
Prop. 40: Introduces a one-time tax on billionaires to fund health care, food assistance and education.
Since most students and young voters are unaware of the effects midterm elections have on them, it is more crucial now more than ever that they understand the personal impact of voting for certain candidates and propositions. We may think that these decisions only sway things on a national level, but what we may not realize is how it impacts our education, jobs, finances and communities.
The U.S. 2026 General Midterm Election will take place on Nov. 3, with early voting beginning on Monday, Oct. 5. Redwood Hall will serve as a voting center as it has in the past, allowing students the opportunity to vote while on campus. To find your polling place, visit the California Secretary of State website.
