NCADP Statement on narrow defeat of California’s Prop 34
November 7, 2012
Washington, DC—California’s Proposition 34, an initiative to end the death penalty and replace it with life without parole was narrowly defeated by a margin of 53% to 47%. The millions of Californians who voted in favor of this measure have made clear that keeping their communities safe and maintaining a working justice system are their top priorities. We expect that California will eventually move beyond the death penalty, following the momentum that is already evident in other states across the country.
The fact that such a large percent of the populace voted to end the death penalty in California is testament to the fact that people are increasingly concerned about the fairness and effectiveness of such a costly, broken system. The vote represents a dramatic shift away from support for the death penalty and is a clear signal that many voters have changed their minds about this issue.
Seventeen states and the District of Columbia do not have the death penalty, and California has not had an execution in over six years. Last year, 2011, was the first year since 1976 that the country produced fewer than 100 new death sentences, marking a steady decline in the number of new death sentences and executions.
Support for the death penalty continues to wane as more and more people question the merits and effectiveness of capital punishment. The nationwide trend of ending the use of the death penalty will continue as state elected officials across the country must address the concerns of their constituents about the very real risks and exorbitant costs associated with sentencing people to death.
SF Chronicle – Death-penalty measure’s support jumps
Bob Egelko
Updated 10:51 p.m., Thursday, November 1, 2012
A ballot measure to repeal California’s death penalty and replace it with life in prison without parole has gained support in the last week and leads by 45 to 38 percent among likely voters in the final Field Poll before Tuesday’s election.
The poll, conducted Oct. 25-30, was the first to show a lead for Proposition 34, which had trailed 42 to 45 percent in the last survey in mid-September. Polling also found that a majority agreed with one of Prop. 34’s major premises – that the death penalty is more expensive than life without parole – and a plurality said innocent people are executed “too often.”
AP – Death row inmate finally exonerated of ’80s slayings
A judge has finally cleared the name of an Ohio man who spent more than five years on death row for a pair of slayings he didn’t commit.