Newsom to commute all 548 death sentences in California
Governor Newsom plans to convert all 548 death sentences to life without parole, ending the nation's largest death row population.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a campaign event ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles (AP Photo/Jill Connelly)
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Nov. 5, 2026, that he intends to commute the death sentences of all 548 individuals currently on the state's death row. The move aims to eliminate the largest death row population in the Western Hemisphere by converting the sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In an open letter to Californians, Newsom stated that he views state-sanctioned killing as incompatible with the state's values and detrimental to the legal system. He acknowledged that the decision was among the most difficult of his career, noting that he expects the action to surface painful memories for the families of crime victims.
The governor, who is preparing to leave office in January 2027, previously instituted a moratorium on executions shortly after taking office in March 2019. California has not carried out an execution since 2006, despite voters rejecting a 2016 ballot measure to abolish the death penalty and instead approving a measure intended to expedite the process.
While the governor possesses the authority to commute some sentences unilaterally, the state constitution requires the approval of the California Supreme Court for individuals convicted of a felony more than once. This requirement applies to approximately 60% to 70% of the cases currently on death row.