Mustang News is covering the 2026 California Primary election to empower the Cal Poly student body and the greater San Luis Obispo community to engage in informed participation in our democracy. 

Our mission in covering the California special election is to get our communities involved by providing journalism that helps voters feel empowered to participate in their civic duties. We strive to better understand our audiences’ thoughts toward the primary election and cover it in a way that promotes transparency of the state’s plans.

The staff behind this coverage are independent, curious, respectful individuals who are accountable to you, our audience. You can also find our organization’s general values guide that highlights our decision-making process on what we report on and how we do so. 

We are committed to keeping our readers at the center of this conversation by using social media, accepting feedback and outsourcing for questions you may have about the primaries. 

During our 2026 election coverage, we will: 

  1. Demystify the voting process
  2. Cover events, voting locations and student perspectives 
  3. Examine the influence of where this puts California in the national political conversation 
  4. Answer reader questions about the importance of the primaries

What is a primary election? 

A primary election is held to determine which candidates will run in an upcoming general election. In California, the top two candidates in each primary will move on to the November 2026 election, when voters elect a candidate.

READ MORE: What’s on the June 2 ballot?

In January, we introduced our inaugural Government team, led by incoming editor-in-chief Kaylin O’Connell, covering the state capitol from the Central Coast. For the last six months, we’ve published introductions, explainers and in-depths on California’s government to better inform our audiences of what’s going on at state level. 

California has major national influence, so our coverage intends to prepare California voters for landmark decisions. 

How you can inform our work

We want you to have questions, comments and feedback to inform what we cover. Our readers’ questions and needs will shape our priorities and efforts in delivering important information about this election. 

If you have ongoing questions about our coverage, fill out our audience survey. 

If we’re missing something, this is your chance to tell us. And always, thank you for reading Mustang News. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at editorial@mustangmediagroup.com