Prop. 34:Death Penalty
Repeals death penalty and replaces it with life imprisonment without parole.
Outcome: Failed
Summary
Repeals death penalty and replaces it with life imprisonment without possibility of parole. Applies retroactively to existing death sentences. Directs $100 million to law enforcement agencies for investigations of homicide and rape cases.
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What your vote means
Yes
A YES note on this measure means: No offenders could be sentenced to death under state law. Offenders who are currently under a sentence of death would be resentenced to life without the possibility of parole. The state would provide a total of $100 million in grants to local law enforcement agencies over the next four years.
No
A NO vote on this measure means: Certain offenders convicted for murder could continue to be sentenced to death. The status of offenders currently under a sentence of death would not change. The state would not be required to provide local law enforcement agencies with additional grant funding.
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Financial effect
Yes
Net savings to the state and counties that could amount to the high tens of millions of dollars annually on a statewide basis due to the elimination of the death penalty. One-time state costs totaling $100 million from 2012-13 through 2015-16 to provide funding to local law enforcement agencies.
No
No change from status quo.
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Campaign arguments
Yes
34 guarantees we never execute an innocent person by replacing California’s broken death penalty with life in prison without possibility of parole. It makes killers work and pay court-ordered restitution to victims. 34 saves wasted tax dollars and directs $100 million to law enforcement to solve rapes and murders.
No
California is broke.
Prop. 34 costs taxpayers $100 million over four years and many millions more, long term. Taxpayers would pay at least $50,000 annually, giving lifetime healthcare/housing to killers who tortured, raped, and murdered children, cops, mothers and fathers. DA’s, Sheriffs and Police Chiefs say Vote No.
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Campaign information
Yes
Steve Smith
YES on 34—SAFE California
Campaign
237 Kearny Street #334
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 525-9000
info@safecalifornia.org
www.YesOn34.org
No
Californians for Justice and
Public Safety
455 Capitol Mall, Suite 600
Sacramento, CA 95814
www.waitingforjustice.net
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Additional information
Prop. 34 Full textClick here to view.
Measure TypeInitiated state statute
Date Qualified04/23/2012
ProponentJeanne Woodford c/o James C. Harrison
Signatures by CountyClick here to view.
Signatures Required504,760
Source: California Secretary of State
Funding
Yes
| Rank | Contributor name | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION | $1,034,390 |
| 2 | NICHOLAS PRITZKER | $1,000,000 |
| 3 | THE ATLANTIC ADVOCACY FUND | $1,000,000 |
| 4 | NICK MCKEOWN | $437,500 |
| 5 | M QUINN DELANEY | $300,000 |
12.8%
12.4%
12.4%
5.4%
3.7%
$8.1 million raised in total
Last updated: 11/6/2012
More...No
49.1%
6.4%
5.1%
2.7%
2.5%
$392.9 thousand raised in total
| Rank | Contributor name | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | PEACE OFFICERS RESEARCH ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA | $192,967 |
| 2 | SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS | $25,000 |
| 3 | ASSOCIATION FOR LOS ANGELES DEPUTY SHERIFFS | $20,000 |
| 4 | RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S ASSOCIATION PAC | $10,500 |
| 5 | RIVERSIDE POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION PAC | $10,000 |
Last updated: 11/6/2012
More...Source: MapLight analysis of campaign contribution data from Secretary of State – Cal–Access.
Last updated: 11/6/2012
Note: Some ballot measure campaign committees are supporting or opposing more than one proposition, so the total amounts raised by those committees are reflected on multiple propositions. For this reason, adding contributions across propositions will double-count certain contributions. Please contact MapLight for further details.
Endorsements
Due to the high number of endorsements for each campaign, MapLight only publishes endorsements from organizations and not from individuals. For a full list of endorsements, please visit the campaign website.
News
- Silicon Valley Mercury News California Proposition 34: Death Penalty Repeal Trailing in Early Returns Nov. 6, 2012
Last updated: 11/8/2012
Editorials
Yes
- San Francisco Examiner Editorial: Prop. 34 Considers Fiscal Case Against Costly Death Penalty Oct. 9, 2012
No
Last updated: 11/9/2012
