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California Proposition 7, Expand Death Penalty and Life Imprisonment for Murders Initiative (1978)

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California Proposition 7

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Election date

November 7, 1978

Topic
Criminal sentencing and Death penalty
Status

ApprovedApproved

Type
Initiated state statute
Origin

Citizens



California Proposition 7 was on the ballot as an initiated state statute in California on November 7, 1978. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported expanding categories of first-degree murder that are punishable by the death penalty or life imprisonment.

A "no" vote opposed expanding categories of first-degree murder that are punishable by the death penalty or life imprisonment.


Election results

California Proposition 7

Result Votes Percentage

Approved Yes

4,480,275 71.13%
No 1,818,357 28.87%
Results are officially certified.
Source


Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Proposition 7 was as follows:

Murder. Penalty. Initiative Statute.

Ballot summary

The ballot summary for this measure was:

Changes and expands categories of first degree murder for which penalties of death or confinement without possibility of parole may be imposed. Changes minimum sentence for first degree murder from life to 25 years to life. Increases penalty for second degree murder. Prohibits parole of convicted murderers before service of 25 or 15 year terms, subject to good-time credit. During punishment stage of cases in which death penalty is authorized: permits consideration of all felony convictions of defendant; requires court to impanel new jury if first jury is unable to reach a unanimous verdict on punishment.

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.


Path to the ballot

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in California

In California, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 5 percent of the votes cast at the preceding gubernatorial election. For initiated statutes filed in 1978, at least 312,404 valid signatures were required.

See also


External links

Footnotes