Graduates are golden: 2026 GSA election sees higher voter turnout, passes GOLD referendum for student success
Efforts to raise participation in this year’s graduate election season proved successful, doubling the voting turnout and informing students on GOLD long-term benefits.
Los Angeles, Calif., May 5, 2026 – During this year’s Graduate Students Association (GSA) election season, voter participation nearly doubled compared to the year prior, supporting the approval of the Graduate Opportunities and Leadership Development (GOLD) fee referendum.
GOLD, presented on the ballot by Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA), received 51% approval from the graduate student body. This funding will support graduate academic initiatives such as conferences and research presentations, as well as graduate engagement through community building and professional development workshops. Additionally, GOLD will help maintain ASUCLA facilities to preserve essential operations and allocate 25% of funds to graduate student financial aid.
“This achievement reflects the strength of collaboration across our student leaders, campus partners and the broader graduate community,” said Pamela Lewis, ASUCLA Student Union Services director. “Together, we have advanced a meaningful initiative that will provide sustained support for graduate students and enhance the Student Union’s ability to serve as a hub for connection, engagement and success.”
Increasing voter participation was prioritized this year after the 2025 GSA election saw a 6.9% turnout. This year’s success in obtaining 10.68% of graduate students was driven by several factors: peer-to-peer engagement among GSA officers and their constituents, collaboration between Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA) and on-campus organizations and the outreach led by ASUCLA Board of Directors Graduate Representative David Martinez to UCLA’s graduate and professional networks.
GOLD will take effect in the fall 2026 quarter to further uplift the UCLA graduate student community.
For more information about the GSA election results, visit gsa.asucla.ucla.edu.
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About ASUCLA:
Founded in 1919, Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA) is a nonprofit association that drives vitally essential student services and activities throughout the UCLA campus. ASUCLA boasts the largest college store in the U.S., an extensive food program, UCLA® brand licensing programming through UCLA Trademarks & Licensing, and other services and programs that include student government and student media, which significantly enhances the quality of UCLA’s campus life. For more information and to stay connected, follow @asucla on Instagram or visit asucla.ucla.edu.
