Governor Gavin Newsom’s term is approaching its end. During this remaining time in office, he has the power to do something truly historic for justice and human dignity: commute every death sentence in California.

The League of Women Voters of California opposes the death penalty and supports criminal justice policies that protect human rights and reduce injustice. We are urging Governor Newsom to use his executive authority now to grant universal clemency to all with death sentences. A universal clemency grant would change all death sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the alternative sentence currently available in these cases, ensuring that no one can be executed.

There are currently 560 people on California’s death row – the largest death row in the nation and one of the largest in the world. Universal clemency would not only save hundreds of lives, it would also move California toward confronting the failures and inequities of its death penalty system.

Stand with us to call on Governor Newsom to save hundreds of lives and change California’s trajectory to confront the failures of its death penalty process.

Sincerely,

Dora Rose
Deputy Director