ALT Page 1 of Governor Gavin Newsom open letter dated November 5, 2026, with California governor seal. Title: Governor Newsom's Open Letter Regarding Commutation of All Death Sentences. Addressed To All Californians. States he is using constitutional clemency authority to commute all death sentences to life without possibility of parole; cites March 13, 2019 moratorium and 548 people remaining on death row; says state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California values.
ALT Page 2 of Newsom open letter. Continues that California's death penalty system is a failure, cannot be fairly applied, and has convicted innocent people; says commuting all death sentences is among the most difficult decisions of his career out of respect for victims' families; will issue the same commutation to every condemned person: life without parole.
ALT Page 3 of Newsom open letter. Notes clemency does not repeal the death penalty; California Supreme Court must review clemency for twice-convicted felons; signed Gavin Newsom, Governor of California; footer gov.ca.gov/clemency.
