Along with gun control and legalizing marijuana, voters in several states will be able to weigh in on capital punishment this year.
In California, Proposition 62 would eliminate the death penalty and instead make the maximum criminal sentence life in prison without opportunity for parole. Conversely, Proposition 66 would keep the death penalty and abbreviate prisoners' appeal process. If both pass, the measure with more "yes" votes becomes law.
In Nebraska, voters are asked to consider Referendum 426, in which — somewhat confusingly — voting to repeal would bring back the death penalty by repealing a current death penalty ban. And in Oklahoma, State Question 776 will guarantee the state the power to execute people in the manner of its choosing if approved.
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