On Monday, the Democrats approved their 2024 platform, which includes no mention of the death penalty. This year’s platform marks the first time since 2004 the platform has not mentioned the death penalty (the 2008 and 2012 platforms called for making the punishment less arbitrary).
Public support for the death penalty has been gradually declining. A Gallup poll last year found that 65% of Democrats oppose the punishment.
The Democratic National Committee did not respond to an email asking if the party still supports abolishing the death penalty.
I can’t say I understand it either. All I can do is try to suggest to them maybe there’s a reason to vote left, even on just a single issue, and perhaps break through the wall of sports politics and apathy. I don’t see that as taking a high road, but just trying to win the little battles where it’s feasible. Some people are lost, and you find that out really quickly if you can’t even have a discussion with them without it getting ugly.