KBLA California Voices Town Hall Brings Candidates and Community Together Ahead of November Election
October 3, 2026 - Omar Cook Attends The KBLA California Voices Town Hall & Ballot Forum
Photo Credit: Omar Cook/The Cook Connection
With the November election approaching, Los Angeles residents had an opportunity to hear directly from candidates and public figures at the KBLA California Voices Town Hall & Ballot Forum, hosted by Tavis Smiley of KBLA Talk 1580.
I attended the October 3rd event at SEED LA School, where the room was packed with community members eager to hear about the issues affecting Los Angeles and California and what those seeking public office planned to do about them. The forum created an opportunity for voters to hear directly from political leaders in a community setting as election season enters its final stretch.
Among the prominent figures appearing during the event were Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Malia Cohen, and special guest Dr. Cornel West. Each drew significant attention from attendees, and throughout the day it was clear that people in the room were engaged and interested in hearing substantive conversations about leadership, homelessness, housing, and the future of their communities.
Mayor Karen Bass Addresses Homelessness and Housing
Mayor Karen Bass used her appearance to discuss her record and argue that there is still more work to be done in Los Angeles. Homelessness was once again at the center of the conversation.
Bass stressed her commitment to getting unhoused Angelenos off the streets and discussed efforts to increase the city's housing supply. Housing and homelessness have become defining issues in the November 3rd mayoral contest between Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman, with the two candidates offering competing assessments of the city's progress and different approaches to addressing the crisis.
October 3, 2026 - Mayor Karen Bass Speaks At The KBLA California Voices Town Hall & Ballot Forum
Photo Credit: Omar Cook/The Cook Connection
Bass has pointed to housing production as evidence of progress under her administration. According to city figures released in September, more than 10,000 affordable housing units were completed in Los Angeles between December 2022 and August 2026. The administration has also used Executive Directive 1 to accelerate approvals for 100% affordable housing projects.
At the forum, Bass also challenged Raman's housing record, stating that Raman's district ranked 14th out of the city's 15 council districts in completed affordable housing units. City figures released by the mayor's office provide context for that claim: Council District 4, represented by Raman, recorded 130 completed affordable units from shortly after Bass took office through August 31, 2026, the second-lowest total among the 15 districts during that period. The figures measure completed affordable units, however, rather than every form of housing production or homelessness intervention.
Raman has challenged Bass's broader record on homelessness. She has criticized the cost and effectiveness of the mayor's Inside Safe program and has advocated greater use of rental subsidies and vouchers. Raman has also pointed to a nearly 50% decline in unsheltered homelessness in her council district in the latest count, while unsheltered homelessness increased citywide.
The competing arguments demonstrate why homelessness remains such a consequential issue in the mayoral campaign. Bass declared a homelessness emergency when she took office and launched Inside Safe, which has moved thousands of people into interim housing.
Dr. Cornel West Calls for People-Centered Leadership
One of the memorable moments of the event for me came from Dr. Cornel West.
West spoke about the importance of political leaders genuinely serving the people they represent. His remarks emphasized honesty, accountability, and the need for leadership that places the interests and well-being of communities at the center of government.
October 3, 2026 - Dr. Cornel West Speaks At The KBLA California Voices Town Hall & Ballot Forum
Photo Credit: Omar Cook/The Cook Connection
What stood out was his willingness to challenge political leadership broadly even while elected officials and candidates were present in the room. His message encouraged attendees to think beyond personalities and political titles and instead examine whether those seeking power are genuinely committed to serving people.
That is an important conversation during any election.
Elections should give citizens an opportunity not only to hear campaign promises but also to examine records, compare ideas, ask difficult questions, and determine which approaches align with the future they want for their communities.
A Community Ready to Be Heard
Beyond the candidates and speakers, one of the biggest stories of the day was the audience itself.
The turnout demonstrated how interested many community members are in the decisions being made about Los Angeles and California. People came ready to listen, learn, and hear directly from those asking for their votes. That type of engagement matters.
Town halls and ballot forums give voters something that campaign advertisements and social media posts cannot always provide: an opportunity to hear longer conversations about issues, observe candidates in a public setting, and become more informed before entering the voting booth.
KBLA Talk 1580 Town Hall & Ballot Forum
I left the KBLA California Voices Town Hall & Ballot Forum appreciating the opportunity to hear different voices and perspectives firsthand. It was informative to listen to candidates and public figures discuss the challenges facing our communities while being surrounded by residents who clearly cared about what happens next.
Los Angeles continues to face significant questions surrounding homelessness, housing affordability, public safety, economic opportunity, immigration, and the delivery of basic city services. The mayoral candidates have offered competing arguments about both the city's recent record and the best path forward.
As November 3rd approaches, forums like California Voices give voters an opportunity to move beyond headlines and become more informed about the people, policies, and ideas appearing on their ballots.
Ultimately, that is what civic engagement should be about: listening, asking questions, examining the facts, and participating in the decisions that shape our communities.