A new poll reveals a sharp generational divide between Karen Bass and Nithya Raman, a candidate backed by democratic socialists. But older voters are still leading in early turnout.
Latino voters are showing greater interest in the 2026 midterm elections than they did four years ago. In Los Angeles, that political energy comes with a striking generational divide: younger Latino voters strongly favor mayoral challenger Nithya Raman, while older Latinos lean toward incumbent Karen Bass.
The split raises a larger question as Election Day approaches: Could younger Latino voters reshape the political landscape and strengthen the influence of democratic socialist candidates?
A late-October UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll found that 63% of Latino likely voters ages 18 to 49 supported Raman, compared with 25% for Bass.
Among Latino voters 50 and older, the preference reversed. Bass received 47% support, compared with Raman’s 32%.
The division comes in a mayoral contest where both candidates received 40% support citywide, with 19% undecided.
For UCLA political scientist Chris Zepeda-Milan, the generational difference reflects a desire for political change.
“There is definitely a hunger among younger Latinos for change,” he told the Los Angeles Times.
Latino political engagement is rising nationally
An October 16 Pew Research Center survey found that 51% of Latino registered voters favored Democratic congressional candidates, compared with 24% supporting Republicans.
Among Latino voters supporting Democratic candidates, 53% said they were extremely motivated to vote, up from 41% before the 2022 midterms.
The share saying control of Congress really matters increased from 58% to 77%. Those who had given considerable thought to the election rose from 24% to 45%.
President Donald Trump is another factor. Pew found that 55% of Latino registered voters viewed their congressional vote as a vote against him. His approval rating among Latino registered voters had fallen to 24%, compared with 38% in February 2025.
The economy remained their leading concern.
The findings document stronger engagement among Latino Democratic supporters, although they do not establish that younger Latinos are voting at higher rates nationally.
In Los Angeles, however, the generational difference in candidate preferences is unmistakable.
Young Latinos favor Raman as Bass gains ground
The Berkeley poll, conducted October 19–25, found Raman receiving 69% support among Los Angeles likely voters ages 18 to 29 and 74% among those ages 30 to 39. Bass received 15% and 16%, respectively.
Among voters 65 and older, Bass received 55%, compared with Raman’s 25%.
The Latino electorate has also shifted since September.
Raman’s support among Latino likely voters ages 18 to 49 remained relatively steady, moving from 60% to 63%. Bass’s support within that group increased from 9% to 25%.
Among Latinos 50 and older, Bass rose from 36% to 47%, while Raman increased from 26% to 32%.
The surveys questioned different respondents, so the changes do not necessarily represent individual voters switching candidates.
Overall, Raman’s September advantage among Latino likely voters, 45% to 21%, narrowed to 43% to 40% in late October.
Berkeley poll director Mark DiCamillo said the likely Latino electorate now includes a larger share of older voters, a change that benefits Bass.
The October survey included 487 Latino likely voters, and its age-group findings carry greater uncertainty than the citywide results.
Does Raman’s support signal a shift toward democratic socialism?
Raman’s support among younger voters also brings attention to the progressive movement behind her campaign.
The Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America has endorsed Raman, whose political platform emphasizes affordable housing, renter protections and changes in city government.
But younger Latino support for Raman does not necessarily translate into identification with democratic socialism.
Voters may be responding to housing costs, economic pressures, dissatisfaction with established leadership or particular policies rather than a political ideology.
The Berkeley findings establish a generational divide in candidate preferences, not a nationwide ideological realignment.
Still, the Los Angeles contest offers a concrete example of how younger Latino voters are making different political choices from older generations.
Older voters are still leading in early participation
For all the attention surrounding younger voters, early ballot returns show that older voters remain more active.
According to ballot-tracking figures reported October 29, approximately 13% of Los Angeles voters ages 18 to 34 had submitted ballots, compared with 47% of voters 65 and older.
Those figures do not separately identify younger Latino voters. Nor do they establish final turnout, since younger voters may cast ballots closer to Election Day or vote in person.
The contrast nevertheless underscores a central tension in the mayoral race.
Raman has substantial support among younger Latino likely voters, while Bass has stronger support among older Latinos, who belong to age groups returning ballots at much higher rates.
Nationally, Latino Democratic supporters are reporting greater enthusiasm than four years ago. Locally, younger and older Latino voters are divided over the city’s political direction.
Whether that division translates into actual votes will become clearer after November 3.
For now, Los Angeles offers a revealing picture of an electorate in which younger Latinos are expressing different political preferences, while older voters continue to demonstrate stronger early participation.
Voting information: Los Angeles voters can check ballot status and voting locations through the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.
