Mayoral hopefuls agreeing to take part are Congressman Xavier Becerra, state Controller Kathleen Connell, Los Angeles City Attorney James K. Hahn, commercial real estate broker Steve Soboroff and former state Assemblyman Antonio Villaraigosa. Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs is unable to attend.

"The recent events in Florida illustrate just how important everybody's vote is. We hope with this forum to encourage students to pay more attention to what is going on locally and get involved," said Trisha Fair, director of legislative affairs for CSUN's student government, Associated Students, Inc., a co-sponsor of the forum.

"By having the candidates here, we also want to communicate to them how important our vote is," Fair said. "We are the community and the issues they are discussing affect us."

The forum is scheduled to take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center of the University Student Union on the east side of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. Parking is available for $2 in Lot T, at the corner of Lassen Street and Zelzah Avenue, and a free shuttle will ferry people to the center.

The event is sponsored by the Northeast San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the North San Fernando Valley Community Foundation and CSUN's Associated Students, Inc.

For more information, call (818) 677-2477.