Election:
Official Results
Yes votes:
5,974,243 (48%)
No votes:
6,460,262 (52%)
Proposition 34 would repeal the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Persons currently sentenced to death would have their sentences converted to life imprisonment. The measure would create a $100 million fund for law enforcement efforts to combat violent crime.
For more information on this proposition, including voter resources, in-depth analysis, and endorsements, please see the California Choices web site.
Pro
Proponents of Prop. 34 claim that it will guarantee that no innocent person is ever executed. They say that the repeal of the penalty will save the state millions in costs to maintain death row as well as paying state attorneys to handle death penalty cases. Supporters claim that repealing the death penalty will improve public protection by providing new funds to help fight future crimes.
Con
Opponents claim that Prop. 34 is insulting to victims families and that people convicted of death row crimes do not deserve more lenient sentences. They claim that the costs of long-term incarceration should be countered by executing death row inmates more quickly.