Gia Estevez | Staff Writer
Florida voters will head to the polls Nov. 3 to choose who will represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives, with all 28 of the state’s congressional districts up for election.
These issues can also affect college students; decisions made in Congress can influence financial aid, education funding, healthcare, and other programs that students rely on. For example, Congress helps determine funding for federal student aid programs, including Pell Grants for eligible students with financial need and federal student loans. Changes to these programs can affect how much financial support students receive to help pay for college. To understand which issues matter to students, I asked FIU students what they think lawmakers should focus on in the upcoming midterm elections.
Students were asked what issues they believe candidates should prioritize in the upcoming midterm elections.
“I think they should focus on giving aid to college students so that it would help us,” said Gabriella Zakarian, a freshman majoring in biology.
“I think that they should prioritize healthcare for the elderly,” said Lia Guzman, a freshman majoring in biology.
The results could affect issues ranging from federal spending to education and healthcare, making the election relevant to South Florida communities, including college students and their families.
This year’s races will be the first House elections held under a new congressional map approved by the Florida Legislature. Gov. Ron DeSantis asked lawmakers into a special session on April 15 to redraw the state’s congressional districts. The Legislature passed House Bill 1-D on April 29, and DeSantis signed the plan into law on May 4.
The new map changed the boundaries of several districts across the state following legal disputes to Florida’s previous congressional map, which was approved in 2022. One major dispute involved whether the map weakened Black voters’ ability to elect candidates of their choice in North Florida. The changes means some voters may now live in a different congressional district than they did during previous elections. The Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research has published maps showing the boundaries of all 28 districts.
The changes also affect voters in South Florida, where several congressional districts include portions of Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Candidates will campaign under the new boundaries for the general election, and voters can find the candidates running in each district through the Florida Division of Elections.
Several congressional races in South Florida will feature candidates from different political parties. In District 26, Republican Mario Diaz-Balart is running against Democrat Nicole Locklin and candidate Deborah Ann Meidiner Hosey, who has no party affiliation. In District 27, Republican Maria Elvira Salazar will face Democrat Eliott Rodriguez. In District 28, Republican Carlos Gimenez is running against Democrat Phil “Felipe” Ehr and Eddy Rojas, another candidate without a party affiliation. These are some examples of the congressional races taking place in South Florida. The full list of Florida’s 2026 House candidates is available online.
The House of Representatives plays a role in making federal laws and deciding how the federal government spends money. Members of Congress vote on issues including healthcare, taxes, education, immigration, and government funding. More information about the House is available through the U.S. House of Representatives.
For students voting in November, knowing which congressional district they live in is also important. Students who live far away from their permanent address may have a different congressional race on their ballot depending on where they are registered to vote. The Florida Division of Elections voter lookup allows voters to check their registration information and polling place.
With Election Day approaching, the issues raised by students, including college financial aid and healthcare for the elderly, show how decisions made in Congress can affect students, their families, and their communities. On Nov. 3, voters across Florida’s 28 congressional districts will choose who represents them in the U.S. House of Representatives.
About Post Author
