An Arizona Democratic lawmaker is seeking to let voters decide if the death penalty could be legal in 2026.
Rep. Patty Contreras, D-Phoenix, filed House Concurrent Resolution 2001 for the upcoming legislative session, which would ask voters if a ban on capital punishment be placed in the state constitution. The resolution would need to pass both chambers of the Republican-majority legislature in order to make it onto the ballot.
“People who commit heinous crimes should be locked away, and victims of crime and their families deserve justice. But the death penalty is not the answer,” Contreras said in a statement on Wednesday.
The resolution would have no bearing on the federal death penalty.
The lawmaker cited the state’s decision to continue executions in 2025, likely beginning with convicted murderer Aaron Gunches.
The resolution would have no bearing on the federal death penalty.
The lawmaker cited the state’s decision to continue executions in 2025, likely beginning with convicted murderer Aaron Gunches.
