On Nov. 6, California will vote on the death penalty.

There are obvious humanitarian issues that arise when discussing Proposition 34, which would end the death penalty in the state if it is successful. But there is more to this issue than the livelihood of prisoners. California is $617 billion in debt, according to the state treasurer’s website, the highest of any state in the country.

Voting yes for Prop 34 would help decrease the state’s growing fiscal dilemma.

Since the death penalty was reinstated in 1978, it has cost the state over $4 billion, according to the Los Angeles Times. But since then, only 13 inmates have been executed. It is far cheaper to give them a life sentence in jail, and it would be fiscally irresponsible for California to continue putting criminals on death row.

If Prop 34 passes, it is estimated to save the state $1 billion every five years, according to the Times. These are savings California needs, especially during uncertain economic times.

And if it passes, $100 million would be allotted to law enforcement to aid in solving homicides and rape cases. State funding would be better spent pursuing these cases than pushing convicted criminals into an inefficient death penalty program.

Prop 34 is just as much about the death penalty as it is about paying off California’s debt. This election, the livelihood of an entire state is at stake.