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California Voters Could Repeal Death Penalty In November

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — California voters will be asked to make a life-or-death decision this year.

All of the necessary 500,000 signatures have been collected to earn the death penalty repeal a spot on the November ballot.

Proponents say it would save California more than $100 million a year, as it costs the state $90,000 a year to keep an inmate on death row.

The death penalty took effect in 1978, but only 13 convicts have since been executed. The last execution took place in 2006.

If approved, the repeal would apply retroactively, converting sentences for 725 convicts on death row to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The measure also calls for $100 million to be used for extensive DNA and fingerprint testing, which would help solve more homicide and rape cases.

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