Los Angeles events to keep you informed and engaged ahead of the election

With the Nov. 3 midterm elections approaching, Angelenos can stay informed and get involved in their communities through events across the region. From voter outreach and community conventions to meet-and-greets and cultural festivals rooted in civic education, these gatherings offer opportunities to engage with local issues and encourage civic action. 

The list of events will be updated weekly with more opportunities to get involved.

Sunday, Oct. 18 - L.A. Forward SGV Ballot Party

Don't be intimidated by all the races, names and measures on your ballot — let the L.A. Forward help you break down your choices. Bring your ballot (or sample ballot to take notes on). Expect friendly faces and lots of great info.

WHEN: Sunday, October 18, 2026, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM PT

WHERE: Location to come.

RSVP at: https://www.laforward.org/events/sgv-bp

Sunday, Oct. 18 - Mesmerized: The Lasting Legacy of an 18th-Century Health Fad

The Center for Inquiry West (CFI West) invites you to attend “Mesmerized: The Lasting Legacy of an 18th-Century Health Fad” with science educator and author Melanie Trecek-King. The presentation is part of CFI West’s monthly “Feed Your Brain” event series.

After spending decades in the college biology classroom, Melanie Trecek-King created Thinking Is Power—a twist on “knowledge is power”—to provide accessible tools that empower individuals to spot deceptive tactics and build the self-awareness needed to recognize their own vulnerabilities. She has also worked with CFI’s Education Department to create “Bellringers for Better Thinking!” for middle and high school students.

WHEN: Sunday, October 18, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. PT

WHERE: Carl Sagan & Ann Druyan Theater, 2535 W. Temple St., Los Angeles

Admission: $10 or free for CFI Members. Membership is $60/year. Find out more and join here: https://cfiwest.org/donate/

Monday, Oct. 19 - An Evening On Journalism & Safety

The Los Angeles Reporting Collective and the Association of Gun Violence Reporters have partnered to bring an evening program about the intersection of journalism and safety. In collaboration with PEN America, Freedom of the Press Foundation, IWMF & CPJ.

This event is open to the public but there is limited space, so make sure to RSVP.

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 19, 6-8:30 p.m.

WHERE: LA Press Club, 2535 W Temple Street, LA, CA 90026.

Tuesday, Oct. 20 - Latino voters: how the wealth gap is shaping our sentiment

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, Latino voters will once again play an important role in races across the country. But who are Latino voters today, what issues are shaping their decisions and how have decades of economic inequality shaped the concerns they bring to this political moment?

Join the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI) and UnidosUS for a timely discussion about the economic and policy concerns influencing Latino voters. Drawing on new voter research and historic and structural insights from "Sueño Incompleto: A History of the Latino Wealth Gap in the United States," the conversation will explore why issues such as affordability, housing, economic opportunity and financial security continue to rank among the top concerns of Latino voters.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 11 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. ET

WHERE: Zoom Webinar - Register here