The 2026 Midterms and What's Next for Latino Political Power

The 2026 midterm elections will mark another pivotal moment in American politics, highlighting the continued influence of Latino voters in shaping electoral outcomes at the federal, state, and local levels. This post-election panel will examine how Latino voters influenced the results, the key issues that drove voter participation, and what the election outcomes mean for Latino communities across the United States.

Bringing together leading voices from academia, media, and public policy, this panel will provide timely insights into the significance of the 2026 election and its broader implications for Latino political engagement. 

Confirmed Panelists

• Amada Armenta — Faculty Director, UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute (Moderator and emcee). Dr. Armenta scholarship focuses on immigration, policing, and the effects of immigration enforcement on Latino communities.
• Dr. Efrén Pérez, — Professor of Political Science, UCLA. Professor of Political Science and Psychology at UCLA and Director of the Race, Ethnicity, Politics, and Society (REPS) Lab. A leading scholar of Latino politics, political psychology, racial and ethnic politics, and public opinion.

Disclaimer
The views or opinions of our guest speakers and the content of their presentations do not necessarily reflect the views of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute. Hosting speakers does not constitute an endorsement of the speaker’s views or opinions.

Tongva Acknowledgement
The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute acknowledge the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As a land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.

Photo Release
By attending this event, you will be entering an area where photography, audio and video recording may occur. With your presence, you authorize the event organizers and its licensees to photograph you, make sound and/or video recordings of you, and use the recordings for marketing, publicity and promotion of this event. Please click on the link for the full UCLA Luskin Notice of Filming Release.

Event venue & nearby stays

Candela La Brea, 831 South La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, United States

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