As dozens of students waited in line to cast their votes for the midterm elections at the USC Village Tuesday morning, some students said issues ranging from affordability to climate change are motivating them to vote.
Shyam Subramanyam, a senior business major, said voting is a responsibility that extends beyond the current midterm election.
“It’s really important to use your voice, because if you don’t, I think it’s just very sad what you’re doing,” Subramanyam said. “It’s almost like a middle finger to everyone that never had a chance to use their voice in the past.”
Emmanuel Garcia Rojas, a senior studying mechanical engineering, said he feels the same sense of responsibility for issues that will affect future generations.
“Affordability is probably the biggest thing, just to bring the cost of living down here in Los Angeles,” he said. “Rents really high. Gas is really expensive, so are groceries.”
Garcia Rojas said that it’s important for young people to vote because they are the ones who could live with higher prices well into the future.
Leo Mermelstein, a fifth-year student majoring in jazz voice and cognitive science, also said affordability is his priority, as well as healthcare and climate change.
He put it simply: “Climate regulations — because I want the world to still exist.”
As the students waited to cast their ballots, they also reflected on the role of polls and prediction markets in the information ecosystem during election season.
Subramanyam, the business major, said he trusts traditional polling organizations because they have been doing polling work for years. Justin Boley, on the other hand, said he does “absolutely not” trust polls.
“I think I would have to look more into where they’re getting their information from,” said Boley, a graduate film production student.
His uncertainty with polling also extends to prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket, platforms in which people put money on the outcomes of the elections.
Over $431 million has been spent on Kalshi and Polymarket on the 2026 Congressional midterm elections so far, according to Reuters. Kalshi claims the prices reflect the probability tied to an event, in this case, election results. But voters like Boley are more skeptical.
“When money’s involved, I think there’s always an alternative motive,” he said.
Subramanyam said the financial incentives behind the prediction markets raise questions about whether the odds are grounded in reality, or if they are just an opportunity for people to make money.
“I think a lot of people express views there, more driven by a payoff, rather than actually being a reflection, especially in terms of political issues,” Subramanyam said.
Polls remain open until 8 p.m. in California. Voters can check L.A. County Registrar to find the nearest polling center to them.
Edited by Jadon Frank