UCLA Students Canvass for Raman in Mayoral Race

Students at UCLA are actively campaigning for Nithya Raman as the November mayoral election nears.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a stone archway, evoking the civic engagement of university student organizations in local elections. — UCLA students are mobilizing on campus to support Nithya Raman's mayoral bid, focusing on housing and local policy ahead of November's election. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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UCLA students are currently canvassing on campus to bolster support for Nithya Raman in the upcoming Los Angeles mayoral election. The student-led efforts are bolstered by a partnership with United Auto Workers Local 4811.

Why it matters

Students are driving this campaign to address local concerns, specifically citing housing affordability and immigration enforcement as primary motivations. This mobilization aims to significantly influence the final outcome of the race between Raman and Karen Bass.

A poll by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies indicates that 66% of likely voters ages 18 to 29 favor Nithya Raman, compared to only 4% for Karen Bass. The election is officially scheduled for November 3, 2026.

The players

Nithya Raman

Nithya Raman is a candidate competing against Karen Bass for the office of Los Angeles mayor.

Karen Bass

Karen Bass is the incumbent candidate competing for the mayoral seat in the Los Angeles election.

United Auto Workers Local 4811

This union represents UC academic student employees, postdoctoral scholars, and academic researchers.

The details

Canvassers are engaging with peers across the UCLA campus to encourage voter registration and support for their candidate. Students will have access to designated voting sites located at Ackerman Union, De Neve Plaza, and the Hammer Museum.

May 2026: UAW Local 4811 officially endorsed Nithya Raman.
November 3, 2026: The Los Angeles mayoral midterm election occurs.

Political Context

Opponents of this student mobilization argue that the focus on campus-specific initiatives may not reflect the priorities of the broader Los Angeles electorate. Critics frequently push back against student-led advocacy, suggesting that such efforts often overlook the concerns of long-term residents and local business owners.

The intense focus on campus voting sites like the Hammer Museum and Ackerman Union means that residents in these areas should expect increased foot traffic during the final days of the campaign. Voters should verify their polling location, as the specific designated sites will be central to the student voting effort.

The takeaway

Student engagement remains a critical variable in municipal elections where age-based polling differences are stark. Voters should monitor their local election board for official updates on polling site accessibility to ensure their ballot is cast correctly by the deadline.