Voting begins for Peralta student government elections

Ongoing student government elections will determine the future of student leadership and transportation access at each Peralta campus

Tamara Copes and Lylah Schmedel-Permanna

April 9, 2025

Photo: Lylah Schmedel-Permanna

Elected student body leaders are invited to speak at the Peralta Board of Trustees meetings and provide updates to college administration on student life and needs.

Let’s get ready to rumble! The 2025-2026 Peralta Community College Student Government elections are currently underway. Peralta students can vote for student representatives at their home college and decide on a proposition to fund transit passes and a new bus system for students, until 11:59 p.m. tonight. However, that deadline has been extended for College of Alameda (CoA) students to tomorrow, April 10, at 11:59 p.m. due to “technical difficulties“.

The transportation referendum, called Proposition A, would renew a student fee that pays for access to the AC Transit “EasyPass” which allows unlimited rides on AC Transit’s local and transbay routes.

If Proposition A passes, all students taking six units or more in the next academic year will be charged $50 per semester, which offers a significant discount on regular fare pricing for students who opt to claim their pass. After the 2025-26 school year, that fee will rise to $53 per semester through 2028.

These funds would contribute to a free bus route for students between each of Peralta’s four campuses from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. This proposition would need a 51% majority vote to pass.

The student government at each college is responsible for representing student interests and keeping the campus active and engaged by planning events, as well as ensuring student clubs have the necessary resources to operate. Student representatives also attend the yearly Student Senate of California Community Colleges conference, where they vote on matters that impact students statewide.

Voting began on Tuesday morning. More details about how and where to vote, as well as candidates for each college, are listed below. Election results will be announced on April 14.

Associated Students of Laney College (ASLC)

The ASLC provides a voter’s guide to help students sift through the 47 candidates running for election. Several positions, including president, vice president and treasurer are on the ballot.

Laney students can cast their votes online here or in-person at the Laney Quad from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, email [email protected]

Associated Students of Merritt College (ASMC)

ASMC has a pool of five candidates to choose from. Merritt students will elect a student body vice president and a student trustee.

Students are able to vote online.

Associated Students of College of Alameda (ASCOA)

College of Alameda (CoA) students have 14 candidates to choose from for ASCOA student trustee and senators. A voter’s guide can be found here. CoA students can vote online until 11:59 p.m. tomorrow.

Associated Students of Berkeley City College (ASBCC)

Berkeley City College (BCC) has 23 candidates vying for seven positions in the student government, with one candidate running unopposed. A voters guide can be found here and online voting can be done here.

About the Contributors

Tamara Copes, Columnist

Tamara Copes is a California native with a nomadic spirit and curious mind. Deep family roots in Oakland brought her back here to live as an adult and since then she has involved herself in numerous and varied community projects; determined to spread correct information and create lasting joy. When not working, you may find her dancing to House, Salsa and Hip Hop music or rolling around town running errands and rhythm skating. Tamara most enjoys creative forms of storytelling. She is on the hunt to find her place in the literary world and has returned to a Journalism major after 20 years of pursuing other interests.

Lylah Schmedel-Permanna, Editor in Chief

Lylah Schmedel-Permanna is a Bay Area local and Managing Editor of The Citizen, where she typically covers investigative stories within the Peralta Community College District.Lylah Schmedel-Permanna is a Bay Area local and Managing Editor of The Citizen, where she typically covers investigative stories within the Peralta Community College District. She is most passionate about uplifting the diverse voices of her hometown and holding local leaders accountable to their constituents. Lylah’s work has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists and the Student Press Law Center.