INSIDE: Ballot propositions | Political spam texts | How students vote | UAPD investigates sexual assault
BEAR DOWN THE BALLOT
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VOLUME 121 | ISSUE 52 | BEAR DOWN THE BALLOT
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Election Edition • October 2026
October 2026 • Election Edition
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BEAR DOWN THE BALLOT | VOLUME 121, ISSUE 52 The polls
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Vote
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Students voting in midterms
9 political spam texts Stop sending
Student thoughts on Arizona ballot
Multimedia
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Kris Mayes meet and greet
Editing Staff
Volume 121 • Issue 52
Editor-in-Chief Emma LaPointe editor@dailywildcat.com
Training Coordinator Griffin Salkowski griffinsalkowski@gmail.com
Comics Editor Amara Williams amarawilliams26@arizona.edu
Managing Editor Emma McDonough editor@dailywildcat.com
Sports Editors Ava Widener Michael Smith Will Shenot sports@dailywildcat.com
Copy Chiefs Ari Keating Olivia Volland copy@dailywildcat.com
News Editors Jasmine Creighton Malia Hirasa news@dailywildcat.com Opinions Editors Abigail Rowley Valeria Moreno opinion@dailywildcat.com Magazine Editor Ellie Conover ellieconover@arizona.edu
Arts & Life Editors Kate Eid Mia Payette arts@dailywildcat.com Photo/Multimedia Editors Charlie Ramirez Mason Kumet photo@dailywildcat.com
Social Media Coordinators Michael Smith socials@dailywildcat.com Designers Emma LaPointe Kasey Williams Emma McDonough Ari Keating Olivia Volland Mia Payette Amara Williams
UAPD investigating sexual assault
Opinion
News
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6
Explaining propositions
Student voices
8
News
Comics Corner
14 Political cartoons
Protest
THE DAILY WILDCAT
October 2026
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Election Edition • October 2026
THE POLLS
Students in Arizona’s midterm elections Students express the importance of young people’s political participation in this year’s midterms and beyond OCÉANE ARMOUR The Daily Wildcat
Young people are historically the least likely to vote, yet they are among the most affected by the outcomes as they learn to live with legislation and changing political structures that emerge from elections. As candidates approach midterm elections, the biggest question is: how do we motivate young voters to participate? Students at the University of Arizona agree voting matters for young adults ages 18 to 25, a group that has historically lagged in political participation. UA student Audrey Fiore believes that her vote can make a difference, especially if she is not alone. “Politics is important and who we decide to be our leaders is important to the way we live.” Fiore said. “It accumulates if enough people vote,” Fiore said. Samantha Soth, also a UA student, echoed the same sentiment: “I’m voting. I think it’s important to be an active participant, like, in your community and where you are, and if everyone does their part and shares what they think or how they want, it creates a better society,” Soth said. Candidates around the state of Arizona employ multiple strategies to engage voters across the board, including through town halls, campaign rallies, mail lists, surveys and interviews. One of the most widely used strategies to mobilize voters is door-to-door canvassing and online polling and surveys. Parties for the major candidates recruit volunteers from across the state to go door-to-door in neighborhoods around urban areas, asking voters if they are planning on voting and if so, for whom. If answers are uncertain, volunteers are responsible for giving short speeches detailing the candidate’s hopeful policy and what they have done in the past in hopes of engaging prospective voters.
At the national and state levels, polls are usually conducted online through Interactive Voice Response. These can be conducted through robot calls or mass text messages sent to registered voters. The target of these surveys and interviews is registered voters who are likely to actually vote during the election, especially as the date draws nearer. According to the Roper Center, a Cornell University-affiliated organization for public opinion research, as election day gets closer, polling organizations begin to focus on voters who are more likely to vote. For students at UA, these interviews seem tedious. There are efforts all around campus to get students involved through these surveys and instill a sense of investment in politics for this year’s midterm elections in November and beyond. UA student Maxine Michaud explains why many young voters are discouraged from political participation. “There are a lot of people who have lost faith in the voting system and subsequently don’t vote, and that’s actually really bad because we need everybody giving their real opinion,” Michaud said. The lack of motivation for participation in midterm elections stems from the idea that most of the House of Representatives seats are determined by primary elections. Efforts by party leaders in state legislature to redraw voting lines result in a majority party being predetermined in the district’s population, either Democrat or Republican. Due to gerrymandering, many House seats are decided in primary races between the candidates of the leading party rather than the general election where nominees for parties go head-to-head. In the past 2 years, however, gerrymandering has faced backlash from voters. As voters are motivated to make their voices heard despite facing the unjust redrawing of district lines, district seats are becoming crucial races for determining congressional party composition. According to a Cook Political Report, the state of Arizona has about 1% to 25%
NOOR HAGHIGHI | THE DAILY WILDCAT THE LINE AT FIRST United Methodist Church stretches out the door on Nov. 5, 2024. There are no oncampus polling locations on Election Day.
of competitive House seats up for reelection every 2 years, as is applicable in this year’s Midterm elections. This year, elections for seats in the House of Representatives are of more consequence. For example, Arizona’s 6th Congressional District seat — covering Tucson’s surrounding suburbs Catalina Foothills, Oro Valley, Marana, Green Valley and Veil — is up for reelection in November and is predicted to be a close race between Democratic nominee Joanna Mendoza and incumbent Republican Juan Ciscomani, even with Green Party candidate Gary Swing and Libertarian candidate Jereme Peters running for the seat as well. Michaud encourages fellow students to participate in midterm elections because of the impact they can have not only in electing their representatives, but also in how they may affect the system behind elections. “It gives the parties a little bit
more power to push their campaigning because they have data on all the demographics of the different houses and who is more likely to vote for which party,” Michaud said. Students around campus understand the difference their voice and vote can make. Student Paola Bejarano sees it as being proactive about her own future. “It’s good to be able to, you know, take a stand for your own future, so voting is definitely a way to go at it,” Bejarano said. Others believe everyone should practice active participation in political processes. “Everybody should just get out there.” Michaud said.
October 2026 • Election Edition
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VOTE
Proposition power: Students weigh in Students share their opinions on some of the upcoming propositions featured on the ballot. JADON RIVAS The Daily Wildcat
This election, eight propositions will appear on the ballot in Arizona. The measures featured cover a wide range of controversial topics, including election laws, transgender athletes and photo radar cameras. No citizen initiatives appeared on the ballot this year. All eight propositions were added to the ballot by the Republican-led state legislature with little support from Democrats. The three propositions starting with the number “1” would amend the Arizona Constitution. The five propositions starting with “3” are resolutions that would change existing state laws or create new ones. Despite their different implementation methods, every proposition on the ballot will undoubtedly affect all Arizona residents. With so many issues up for debate, students on campus shared their views on the measures. Proposition 141 Proposition 141 is related to travel taxation. It would legally prevent the state from imposing taxes based on vehicle miles traveled or monitoring people’s miles traveled without their consent. It would not, however, apply to federal gas taxes imposed. Vehicles owned or operated by the state are also exempt from this measure. When asked about Proposition 141, University of Arizona senior Hayden Tiffin said, “I think those types are stupid and I disagree with them. I don’t think it’s important to tax people based on how much they drive.” Tiffin also said, “A good example: people who travel a lot with, say, a Toyota Prius get taxed more even if it has fewer emissions. Say someone with a truck: much less efficient, but they drive less. So they pay less in taxes? It’s quite moronic.”
NOOR HAGHIGHI | THE DAILY WILDCAT A “VOTE HERE” SIGN sits outside First United Methodist Church on Nov. 5, 2024. Polls opened as early as 6 .a.m.
Proposition 144 Proposition 144 is relevant to elections. It would create additional restrictions on mail-in ballots and early voting. It would require valid identification to cast a vote in a state or general election. Voters would also gain the option to have their votes tabulated immediately at their voting location on Election Day. Finally, it would allow the state legislature to create more laws regarding election regulation. “I think it wouldn’t be the greatest because it would limit people who can vote. Especially minorities who don’t have as much access to an ID or other resources.” UA freshman Dayana Quijada said. Proposition 316 Proposition 316 would prevent all levels of government from imposing additional taxes on food and nonalcoholic beverages. For example, a sugar tax placed on sodas is adopted by some cities, such as Seattle.
State and local legislatures would be unable to create these taxes without voter approval. Any new tax also cannot exceed 2%. In addition, new special taxes cannot be enacted and existing ones cannot be increased between June 2027 and June 2028. UA freshman Sofia Palomares is supportive of Proposition 316. Palomares said, “I think it’s good; the less taxes, the better. They tax everyone but the rich. The pink tax is a good example of this, and it’s something that’s bad for everyone but the government. Also, this type of tax always goes to a cause I don’t support.” A pink tax is an extra cost placed on products and services marketed to women and girls compared to nearly identical items marketed to men and boys. For example, some states, such as Arizona, list menstrual products as nonessential goods, which are taxed more in some jurisdictions. UA junior Dylan Fare was conflicted
about Proposition 316. “I want to say I feel strange about it. I feel there are more pressing things to tax other than what we eat,” Fare said. “I feel there are better ways to encourage people to live healthier lives.” Proposition 317 Proposition 317 would declare drug cartels to be terrorist organizations as a threat to the State of Arizona. It would require the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to do “everything within its authority to address the threat posed by drug cartels.” UA sophomore Rumi Heath criticized the enactment. “This is probably just an excuse to get more funding to state and local law enforcement,” Heath said. “The federal government already lists cartels as terrorists, so it’s redundant.” Proposition 318 Proposition 318 is a controversial proposition related to transgender people’s use of bathrooms and participation in sports. It would prohibit schools and athletic associations from authorizing a student, athlete, employee or other individual to use a restroom, locker room, shower room or other private space that is not designated for their sex. It would also restrict access to restrooms, locker rooms, shower rooms and other private spaces based on sex as defined by the measure. Fare opposed the proposition. “I don’t support that; do what you want to do as long as it doesn’t hurt people. Sports are for the enjoyment of everyone. There isn’t any evidence of this being a problem, and it’s terrible to deny anyone the opportunity to have fun.” Fare said
Election Edition • October 2026
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NEWS
UA fraternity under investigation for sexual assault at Sigma Phi Epsilon house UAPD investigating claims a sorority student was raped at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house as fraternity remains on probation REGINA PORTUGAL The Daily Wildcat
The University of Arizona Police Department is actively investigating a report of forcible rape and sexual assault at the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house. According to Pima County Superior Court Search warrant records obtained by the Arizona Daily Star, a UA sorority student reported being sexually assaulted by two men at the chapter house during the early morning hours of Aug. 26. The student told police the incident began when she consensually kissed a fraternity member inside a bathroom, during which a second member opened the door and attempted to film them. She stated that she later woke up in a dark room without her pants or underwear and was sexually assaulted by a fraternity member and a second unknown man. The student reported difficulty swallowing due to a bruise on her throat that police noted as a possible sign of strangulation. Following the incident, she completed a sexual assault forensic examination at Banner University Medical Center. In a recorded call with detectives two days later, one of the accused men claimed the sexual contact was consensual, denied that a second man was present and stated he was intoxicated and fuzzy on the details. Detectives obtained a search warrant to search for video and surveillance footage from the fraternity house. No arrests have been made, and no formal charges have been filed in the ongoing investigation. The Daily Wildcat reached out to Dean of Students Chrissy Lieberman, Sigma Phi Epsilon Chapter President Mitchell Blair and Risk Manager Loudon Doemland for a comment, but no responses have been received as of publication.
ENZO MENSAH | DAILY WILDCAT THE SIGMA PHI EPSILON house as seen on Oct. 7.
However, in a text message to the Arizona Daily Star, the chapter is “fully cooperating with authorities in the ongoing investigation and have no further comment.” Blair said. The national headquarters of Sigma Phi Epsilon did not respond to requests for comments from the Arizona Daily Star. UA communications and news director Nick Prevenas declined to address
specifics, saying that “The University of Arizona does not comment on the specifics of an active investigation.” Sigma Phi Epsilon was already on probation through May 2027 following a July investigation into hazing allegations. These allegations include forced calisthenics, forced alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation and kidnapping. The sexual assault case comes amid
heightened scrutiny of Greek life across campus after Lieberman temporarily suspended fraternity activities earlier this month, citing an egregious volume and severity of open misconduct investigations.
October 2026 • Election Edition
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Election Edition • October 2026
STUDENT VOICES
UA students weigh candidate platforms and local propositions ahead of Election Day As congressional candidates urge ballot voting, Wildcat voters evaluate how local policy aligns with tuition costs, energy reliability and everyday student expenses REGINA PORTUGAL The Daily Wildcat
Student priorities beyond national headlines As Election Day, Nov. 3, approaches, University of Arizona students are urging their peers to inform themselves about local and state races that directly affect campus life. While national news often dominates headlines, student voters emphasize that local policy decisions have a more immediate impact on their daily finances and living conditions. For Adelina Balonier, a UA student, top concerns include rising tuition costs, financial aid and power grid security. “As someone who had literally experienced multiple blackouts with the monsoon season, it has definitely been a concern of mine in regards to finding secure power within either my neighborhood or with greater Tucson,” Balonier said. Noting that regarding her tuition, “support currently stems from smaller organizational scholarships rather than new federal or state mandates,” Balonier said. Other students highlight everyday costs of living pressures. Paloma Nava, a UA student reflecting on her voting priorities, pointed to grocery affordability and gas prices as key issues. “Being able to find affordable groceries that are healthy means a lot,” Nava said. Candidate profiles AZ-07 Congressional District In Arizona’s 7th Congressional District, incumbent Democrat Adelita Grijalva faces Republican challenger Daniel Butierez Sr. on the general election ballot. Grijalva previously won last year’s special election before advancing from the July primary. When evaluating congressional candidates, student voters prioritize direct outreach and active community listening. “It’s definitely important for representative election voters to look into whether the candidates are actively engaging with your constituency,” Ba-
lonier said. “If it is easier to see them as a public face and for them to listen to you and actually talk to you, then that is a better candidate to represent their constituency.” Why the Arizona Corporation Commission matters to UA students Unlike most states, Arizona voters directly elect the five members of the Arizona Corporation Commission to set utility rates, manage water rights and establish state renewable energy goals. With utility provider Tucson Electric Power seeking a 14% residential rate hike, the board’s decision directly determines students’ monthly electric bills. The candidates on the Nov. 3 Ballot Republican incumbent Kevin Thompson and Ralph Heap prioritize grid stability, traditional energy reliability and maintaining fossil fuel generation alongside a Republican board majority. Democrats Clara Pratte and Jonathon Hill run on platforms emphasizing renewable energy transitions, consumer protection and curbing rate hikes. Green Party Mike Cease is running on an eco-socialist platform. Student policy alignment Balonier highlights that college voters should evaluate long-term energy sustainability. “Clara Pratte and Jonathon Hill primarily support green energy, and in the long run, green energy will be cheaper in the first place for everyday consumers,” Balonier said. “Relying strictly on fossil fuels risks higher long-term costs.” Proposition 421 Tucson voters are weighing in on Proposition 421, a proposed 25-year franchise agreement between the City of Tucson and Tucson Electric Power. Proponents argue the agreement secures uninterrupted, reliable grid maintenance and provides $2 million annually for city sustainability initiatives. Opponents contend that locking into a quarter-century contract creates a private monopoly while TEP pursues a 14% rate hike and powers large-scale corporate data centers. Reflecting on Prop 421, Nava emphasized that students planning to remain in Tucson after graduation must consider its
extended 25-year contract. “If you genuinely decide to stay here, that could affect your children,” Nava said. “I encourage all students to thoroughly investigate ballot propositions even if long-term contracts do not seem immediately pressing.” Closing the gaps before hitting the poll Despite significant local ballot impact, demanding academic schedules and limited political background create hurdles for student turnout. UA student Keira Deimund noted that while resource guidelines exist, students often lack complete information before casting their ballots. “I don’t think the students are informed
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enough before voting, but they do have enough information available to them. I understand we are all very busy with heavy course loads and daily schedules, but it is our duty to research before voting,” Deimund said. To navigate complex ballots, Balonier recommends using voter guides from groups whose values align with yours. “Your decisions now can still affect the outcome of your real life later on. Local elections are more important than national elections because you can see the outcome of them sooner and more dominantly in your everyday life,” Balonier said.
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October 2026 • Election Edition
OPINION
OPINION: Politicians need to stop blowing up my phone Political spam texts, robocalls and unsolicited mailers are getting out of hand ABIGAIL ROWLEY The Daily Wildcat
I wake up at 7:46 a.m. to my phone buzzing, a call from an unknown number: “I’m calling with an important reminder about the election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.” Whatever. I get out of bed and head down to the gym, checking my mail on the way as I’ve been waiting on a package. Was it there? No. You know what was? Eleven pamphlets and voter guides. I finish my workout and sit down to write this article. I’ve gotten halfway through my introduction as my phone buzzes. “Oh! It must be one of my many friends and/or loved ones!” I think to myself. Foolish. My eyes glaze over as I read the text from an unknown number: “My dad’s on Social Security and he’s been doing math at the kitchen table again… Three times Republicans sent Katie Hobbs legislation to put money back in our pockets. Three times Katie killed them. Seniors. Families. Small businesses. All of us would’ve had more money. Katie Hobbs stole it from us. Katie Hobbs is a disaster. My family is voting for Andy Biggs. STOP to opt out.” At first I thought that I must have given my phone number to the wrong rewards program who sold it off to Spam Mail USA until I started complaining to other people. Every time I brought it up, I was met with reactions of “You too?!”, “I’m so sick of it” or “They’re not even texting about my district!” At this point, we have gone beyond typical campaign advertising and into badgering. According to AdImpact, midterm ad spending has surpassed $11.6 billion, more than the amount of ads booked last NFL season and on track to surpass the cost of the 2024 presidential election. Spending in the Texas Senate race alone has surpassed $500 million, with Democratic candidate James Talarico bringing in a reported $64
ABBY DARLAND | THE DAILY WILDCAT ACCORDING TO ADIMPACT, MIDTERM spending has surpassed $11.6 billion, more than the amount of ads booked last NFL season and on track to surpass the cost of the 2024 presidential election.
million in donations during the third quarter of this year alone. On the other hand, Elon Musk has donated more than $250 million to Republican campaign groups through his America political action committee. And it makes sense. These midterms are the first widespread national test of the second Trump administration and serve to set the tone for the rest of his presidency.
As high inflation has become a fact of life, U.S.-Iranian tensions linger and the cost of living continues to increase, Americans are looking for solutions from their elected officials. Along with this, democratic socialism has seen an incredible surge in popularity, especially among young voters. Many are now learning that communism and socialism are, in fact, not the same thing,
destigmatizing the concept of being socialist. The big question for the left during the primaries was whether it was more effective to vote in favor of electability, or for the candidate whose politics you actually agreed with most. During this year’s midterms, we are going to see the answer to that question, and how far left or right Americans are willing to go.
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OPINION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 Now that’s great and all, but it isn’t why we’re here. We’re here because since I started writing this 35 minutes ago, my phone has buzzed three times with messages from random numbers talking about the Arizona governor’s race. They want me so bad. For anyone who has somehow avoided these spam texts, here’s the format. First, start with your hook, something like “my husband was cleaning out the garage and saw our water bill from 2022.” Then, tell us how much better things were before the last midterms or presidential election: “It was HALF of what it is now ...” Then lay the blame: “Everything has gone up under Hobbs. Everything.” Finally and most importantly, the sell: “Andy Biggs has a plan to bring costs back down, protect our water, and improve our schools.” As a consolation prize, they all include “stop = end” as a
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closure, which doesn’t stop or end anything. Trust me. I tried. Part of the problem here is that generally, campaigning is decentralized. Each ballot is split into multiple positions — governor, senators, mine inspectors, etc. — and from there each position has multiple candidates. Beyond that, candidates will often have PAC backing — think: “this message was paid for by ActBlue, WinRed, AIPAC, etc.” — which means along with their campaign office, they also have several PACs paying for robocalls, texting campaigns and, in cases where the politician has zero rizz and millions in Palantir funding — looking at you, JD Vance, Ted Cruz, Ken Paxton — they will also pay people to ride dorky little scooters around your neighborhood while door knocking. And like I mentioned earlier, it isn’t just texts and robocalls. It’s also mailers. An estimated 3.37 billion pieces of political advertisement were sent through the mail during the 2024 election. Even if half of those letters and pamphlets are recycled,
it creates an obscene amount of waste for something that I literally only look at long enough to see that it’s junk mail. Same with both texts and robocalls. Nothing they say actually persuades me or makes me question the candidates on the line. In fact, it makes me dislike the candidates even more. The Federal Trade Commission manages the National Do Not Call Registry which allows your number to be put on a list that disallows robocalls and telemarketing calls. While it doesn’t block all calls as spoofed U.S. numbers and international calls can still get through, I highly suggest people suffering from spam calls register for it by visiting donotcall.gov. However, in the case of political ad spam, respite is not found within the Do Not Call Registry since organizations such as charities, political groups, debt collectors and surveys are exempt from this list. Goodie! As new generations of voters emerge, I have to wonder how effective these forms of voting are. In the age of social media,
why send a text when you can make a 30-second reel that could get a lot more bang for your buck? Although frankly, I couldn’t care less about whether or not politicians are using their advertising resources most effectively. My issue lies in the fact that there is no way for me to say that I don’t want to be harassed anymore. And that’s truly what it is, harassment on an unreal scale. If this level of texting and calling were coming from an ex, I’d have had a restraining order filed yesterday, so why am I powerless in whether or not politicians and PACs can harangue me for my vote? Abigail Rowley is the opinions editor at the Daily Wildcat. Her family ties at the Wildcat run deep as a second-generation employee (her parents met here in the ’90s!). As a marketing major, she loves to spread her thoughts and opinions to as many people as possible. While not writing, editing or doing whatever else editors do, Abigail loves playing video games, country swing dancing and watching football.
October 2026 • Election Edition
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NEWS
University of Arizona hosts Attorney General Kris Mayes UA College Democrats host Kris Mayes on campus to motivate young voters to show up on election day OCÉANE ARMOUR The Daily Wildcat
On Oct. 9, the University of Arizona College Democrats hosted Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes for a campus meet-and-greet. The incumbent attorney general faces Republican opponent Warren Petersen in November’s midterms. The event was part of Mayes’s statewide campus tour, including ASU, NAU, UA and GCU. Mayes emphasized the importance of this race while recalling her last victory. “I won my race in 2022 by 280 votes out of 2.5 million, so I’m the poster child for how close races in Arizona can be, and I’m convinced that it was, you know, students at the U of A, ASU, and NAU that got me over the line,” Mayes said. Mayes’ campaign manager Delaney Corcoran stated the campaign is coming to students on campuses throughout Arizona to get young people involved and acknowledge how much students have on their plate. Attendees expressed concern for student involvement in election processes. UA student Hannah Levin said she was “very concerned about the state of democracy and […] America right now, especially [in] Arizona.” Many are anxious to get young people involved in the election because they hope they will influence the outcome of the midterms. Highlighting the difficulty of engaging voters in midterms, Corcoran said, “there’s no Senate on the ticket […] and there’s no presidential. And Arizona’s obviously a very important battleground state, and without the awareness about the Senate or presidential campaign, there’s a lot less money being spent on getting out the vote efforts.” Mayes addressed a number of issues that she is tackling for the sake of students. The issue of water is one Mayes worries will affect the student
populations in Arizona. “I don’t want to see a brain drain away from Arizona because we haven’t properly protected our water supplies,” Mayes said. There is a worry that the lack of resources, in this case, water in the Arizona desert, could take a toll on the infrastructure of the state. As infrastructure and water availability and quality decline, it becomes less appealing for students to stay in state and harder to attract students from out of state. Additionally, Mayes addressed the issue of the rising cost of rent in the state. “[C]ollusive behavior is why rent has skyrocketed in Tucson and Phoenix by 76% since 2016,” Mayes said. “That’s just the kind of case
that we’re doing at the attorney general’s office that literally matters for college students, because college students are the ones living in these apartment complexes and dealing with the high cost of rent.” In her previous term, Mayes filed a lawsuit against RealPage, a property-management software company colluding with nine landlords that control 50% of apartments in Tucson and 75% of apartments in Phoenix. Corcoran stated that Mayes has worked to fight issues students face every day, including housing and utility prices and employment opportunities. Mayes stated students are amongst the most impacted by tariffs. “There are $1,500
OCÉANE ARMOUR | THE DAILY WILDCAT A TABLE WITH SIGNS, posters and stickers at the University of Arizona College Democrats meet-and-greet for incumbent Attorney General Kris Mayes on Oct. 9.
a year tax on the people of the state. And […] of all the people who definitely can’t afford it, it’s probably college students and our most vulnerable populations,” Mayes said. Mayes and Dan Rayfield, the attorney general of Oregon, co-led a lawsuit against the executive tariffs of the Trump administration. They won the case in the Supreme Court of the United States, with SCOTUS ruling the president does not have unbound power to levy tariffs through executive orders. Corcoran expressed tariffs affect daily purchases from groceries to gas. Mayes also talked about what she hopes to do with her reelection should it be successful. In the coming years, she wants to hold large corporations accountable. “We really want to continue to do the kinds of consumer protection and antitrust lawsuits that we have been doing,” Mayes said. “I think corporations have gotten too big, and are taking advantage of Americans. I think big tech has engaged in activities that are harming young people.” Mayes also mentioned the lawsuit she filed against social media companies like Meta and TikTok over the addictive algorithms the companies are producing and refining. Levin expressed her concern for students deciding not to vote in the election, commenting that everything that happens politically and socially impacts everyone. “You can’t be complaining about the state of the world if you are not voting. I think you are actively contributing to the problem if you are not making your voice be heard,” Levin said. As a final word on her part directed to students, Mayes said, “I want everybody here to know that I’m fighting to make sure that they inherit the same constitution and democracy that I got. That’s what this is all about. It literally is about preserving American democracy.”
Election Edition • October 2026
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MULTIMEDIA
Photo gallery: Campus protest
AIDAN GRAVELLE | THE DAILY WILDCAT A SMALL GROUP OF people stand outside the Gamma Phi Beta sorority house on E. First Street during the National Day of Action to Stop Sexual Violence rally and march near the University of Arizona on Oct. 8.
AIDEN GRAVELLE | THE DAILY WILDCAT
PROTESTERS MARCH DURING THE National Day of Action to Stop Sexual Violence on Oct. 8.
CHARLIE RAMIREZ | THE DAILY WILDCAT
A PROTESTER YELLS INTO a megaphone as protestors march with signs calling for accountability for sexual assault during the National Day of Action to Stop Sexual Violence rally and march near the University of Arizona on Oct. 8.
JOSIE SHIVERS | THE DAILY WILDCAT
MANY STUDENTS GATHERING AROUND while listening to speakers at the University of Arizona Mall on Oct.8. UA students were there to show support against the sexual violence against women and the Cornell 7 case.
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October 2026 • Election Edition
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MULTIMEDIA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12
BETHSI ARELLANO| THE DAILY WILDCAT STUDENTS MARCH DOWN GREEK Row in protest of the Cornell 7, many carrying signs in support of Jane Doe on Oct. 8
JOSIE SHIVERS | THE DAILY WILDCAT A GIRL HOLDS A sign that states “I am Jane Doe” during a protest at the University of Arizona Mall on Oct. 8.
MARISA FREEMAN | THE DAILY WILDCAT MEMBERS OF THETA XI are seen on Oct. 8 tabling outside of their fraternity house following the interim activities suspension of all University of Arizona Fraternities as of Oct. 5.
AIDAN GRAVELLE | THE DAILY WILDCAT TWO MEN SIT INSIDE a pickup truck, one holding a cellphone, stuck in traffic on E. First Street caused by the National Day of Action to Stop Sexual Violence rally and march near the University of Arizona on Oct. 8.
BETHSI ARELLANO | THE DAILY WILDCAT STUDENTS RALL ON THE MALL in protest of the Cornell 7, many carrying signs in support of Jane Doe on Oct. 8.
MARISA FREEMAN | THE DAILY WILDCAT STUDENTS MARCH DOWN GREEK Row carrying signs in support of Jane Doe at the National Day of Action to Stop Sexual Violence on Oct. 8.
14 • wildcat.arizona.edu
Election Edition • October 2026
COMICS CORNER (POLITICAL CARTOONS) EDITORS NOTE: The following comics are the artist’s own satirical representations of political subjects and any positions do not represent the Daily Wildcat.
SIGN ME UP
VOTER MISEDUCATION By Amara Williams
By Abby Darland
SURVEILLANCE STATE UNIVERSITY By Sam Alapeck
wildcat.arizona.edu • 15
October 2026 • Election Edition
COMICS CORNER CONT. WILBUR’S SEMESTER CANON EVENTS
SUBURBAN WIZARD
By Mink Sanwong
By Ryan Ruiz
16 • wildcat.arizona.edu
B:10.25"
Election Edition • October 2026
T:10"
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
S:9.5"
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B:10.25"
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