How many states in the United States have abolished the death penalty?

How many states in the United States have abolished the death penalty?

• A. Twenty
• B. Ten
• C. Thirty
• D. Fifteen

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that abolition means a state has removed the death penalty from its laws or constitution so no executions can be carried out for any crime. At the time of this question, twenty states have abolished it, meaning they have enacted laws or constitutional provisions that ban capital punishment entirely. This count excludes the District of Columbia, since it’s not a state, and it also excludes states that merely have moratoriums or suspensions but still legally retain the death penalty. Abolition can happen through legislative repeal, a constitutional amendment, or a court ruling interpreting the state constitution as prohibiting capital punishment. Keep in mind the exact number can change as new laws are passed.

The key idea is that abolition means a state has removed the death penalty from its laws or constitution so no executions can be carried out for any crime. At the time of this question, twenty states have abolished it, meaning they have enacted laws or constitutional provisions that ban capital punishment entirely. This count excludes the District of Columbia, since it’s not a state, and it also excludes states that merely have moratoriums or suspensions but still legally retain the death penalty. Abolition can happen through legislative repeal, a constitutional amendment, or a court ruling interpreting the state constitution as prohibiting capital punishment. Keep in mind the exact number can change as new laws are passed.