El Paso Community College Hosted Candidate Forum

The event connected local candidates with voters ahead of the upcoming midterm election.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a solitary podium in an archway, representing civic engagement in an election cycle. — El Paso Community College hosted a candidate forum this week, providing local voters with direct access to candidates running for office in upcoming midterm elections. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should local schools and colleges host candidate forums to encourage voter participation in your community?

El Paso Community College hosted a candidate forum at its Administrative Services Center to engage the local electorate. The event provided a platform for candidates running for federal, state, county, and city offices to speak with students and the public.

Why it matters

The college aims to increase civic engagement and provide essential information to both new and experienced voters before the polls open. These efforts serve to bridge the gap between candidates and the local community throughout the election cycle.

A voter registration drive conducted by the EPCC Government Discipline in September resulted in 270 new student registrations. The initiative precedes the midterm election scheduled for November 3.

The players

El Paso Community College

This public community college serves the El Paso area and actively promotes student participation in local civic processes.

EPCC Student Government Association

This student-led organization represents the interests of the student body and helped coordinate the recent candidate forum.

The details

Organized by the Student Government Association and the Office of Student Success, the forum invited candidates with districts in El Paso County to interact with the college community. This initiative complemented the college's recent efforts to boost democratic participation among its student body.

September 2026: The college conducted a voter registration drive.
October 10, 2026: The candidate forum was held at the Administrative Services Center.
October 19-30, 2026: The early voting period for Texas takes place.
November 3, 2026: The scheduled date for the midterm election.

Political Context

Opponents of campus-based registration initiatives often argue that such efforts should remain neutral and not occur within state-funded institutions. Critics frequently maintain that civic engagement should be cultivated through broader, non-institutional channels to avoid perceptions of bias.

These events simplify the voting process for students by providing direct access to candidates and registration services on campus. Voters in El Paso can use this information to better prepare for the upcoming early voting window.

The takeaway

Participating in candidate forums is an effective way for voters to evaluate their choices before heading to the polls. Residents are encouraged to review the early voting schedule to ensure their ballots are cast in a timely manner.

What happens next

Early voting for the midterm election is scheduled to begin in Texas on October 19 and run through October 30, 2026, followed by the general election on November 3.