Urge Governor Newsom to Grant Clemency for All Death Sentences

Governor Gavin Newsom has less than 13 months left in office, and during this time he has the opportunity to make a meaningful decision for justice and human dignity. He can 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 inequity. For this reason, the organization is urging the governor to use his executive authority to grant universal clemency by changing all death sentences in the state to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

There are currently 565 people on California’s death row, the largest death row in the United States and one of the largest in the world. Commuting sentences would save lives and encourage California to confront the long history of failures within its death penalty system. It would also mark an important moment when the state chooses mercy over punishment.

There are two ways individuals can support this effort. The first is to ask Governor Newsom to just commute all death sentences. The second is to reinforce that message by sending a holiday card or postcard. As simple a note as, “ Dear Governor Newsom, choose mercy. Please commute the sentences of every person on death row in California,” is enough. People may also add a holiday greeting that reflects their own family or cultural tradition.

Send cards and letters to:

Governor Gavin Newsom
1021 O St.  Ste. 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814

We encourage you to send an email even if a handwritten card is mailed. Together these actions express belief in compassion and a more just future for all of California.