From affordable housing to sustainability, Nov. 4 ballot could shape student life for years to come.
By Kira Licht, Staff Reporter
College students know struggle. We balance tuition hikes, housing insecurity, food costs, and the pressure to succeed in systems that often overlook us. But this November, we have a chance to do more than just survive; we can vote to shape our future.
The 2025 Los Angeles special election may not feature flashy candidates, but it carries real weight for students. If we want to lessen our struggles, we need to engage with the ballot.
On Nov. 4, Los Angeles voters will decide on Proposition 50, a redistricting measure that could reshape California’s congressional map through 2030. While redistricting might sound distant from student life, it’s deeply relevant.
Proposition 50 is designed to protect voter power in communities like ours: young, diverse, and often underrepresented. If passed, it would counteract national efforts to redraw district lines in ways that silence student voices and weaken support for public education.
But Prop 50 isn’t the only measure that matters. Several local propositions could have a direct impact on student life—from housing and transit, to sustainability and mental health.
As students, we’re constantly navigating systems that weren’t built with us in mind: rising rent, unreliable transit, climate anxiety, and long waits for mental health care. The upcoming election offers a rare opportunity to vote on policies that directly address these challenges. Four local propositions—Measures R, E, C, and H—could reshape student life in tangible ways. Here’s why they matter.
Measure R—Affordable Housing Expansion: College housing insecurity isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a crisis. Measure R proposes increased funding for student-accessible housing near CSUDH and community college campuses. It prioritizes mixed-income developments and rent caps for student tenants.
Toros face long waitlists for campus housing and rising off-campus rents. Rent caps would protect students from predatory leasing practices, while mixed-income housing would ensure students aren’t priced out of gentrifying neighborhoods. More affordable housing near campuses means shorter commutes, more study time, and better mental health.
Measure E—Public Transit Access: Measure E would expand Metro service hours and introduce discounted student fare programs. For students who rely on public transportation to reach class, work, or home, this would be a game-changer.
Many Toros commute from South Los Angeles, Long Beach, or the Valley—often spending hours each day in transit. Extended service hours would support night classes, internships, and late work shifts. Discounted fares would ease financial strain and make higher education more accessible.
Measure C—Climate Resilience and Campus Sustainability: Measure C proposes funding for green infrastructure projects, including solar retrofits and water conservation efforts at public universities. It aligns with student-led sustainability movements and could create on-campus jobs.
CSUDH and other campuses have ambitious sustainability goals but lack the funding to meet them. Solar retrofits would reduce energy costs and free up resources for student services, while water projects would help campuses adapt to California’s drought conditions. Sustainability work would also give students hands-on experience in climate action and green careers.
Measure H—Mental Health Services Expansion: Measure H seeks to allocate county funds toward mental health clinics and mobile counseling units, including partnerships with college health centers.
Students face long waitlists for counseling—sometimes weeks or months. Mobile units could bring care directly to commuter campuses, while partnerships with colleges would expand culturally competent, student-focused services. Stronger mental health support improves academic performance, retention, and overall well-being.
These measures address housing, transportation, sustainability, and mental health. These issues shape everyday student life. Whether you support them or not, understanding what’s on the ballot is key to shaping the future we want.
As students, we sometimes feel powerless within systems built without us. But the power to change public policy starts at the ballot box. California’s special election gives us that opportunity.
It’s time to show up, speak out, and make our struggles count where it matters most: in the vote.