SHREYA PATEL

California Primaries are set to take place on June 2, 2026. The Highlander Newspaper staff collected student views around campus about the upcoming election, getting a sneak peak into what the rising adults of 2026 are looking forward to as they prepare to select one of the 60 different candidates to replace the current California Gov., Gavin Newsom.

For years, California’s gubernatorial races have functioned like franchise reboots, starring a high-budget protagonist with an ending often predictable. From the legendary return of Jerry Brown to the heroic “A-list” polish of Gavin Newsom, the path to the trophy has largely been paved by celebrity and brand recognition. But 2026 indeed became the year California had been waiting for — the fallout of the celebrity takeover in state government.

There is no perfect world that exists where students don’t abuse artificial intelligence (AI). Many have faced that two-second pause where they decide whether to ChatGPT their way through the physics homework so they can enjoy the night or actually work through the problems so they can practice for the midterm next week. Most end up choosing the first option. This raises the question of whether learning is actually happening in classes and can be proven honestly through exams.