Proposition 66 would limit third-strike offenses to serious or violent felonies; that's the law many voters now say they thought they passed backed in 1994. Excluded would be crimes like petty theft, passing a bad check or holding a small amount of drugs. These offenses would remain felonies for repeat offenders, who could still get longer prison terms for each new crime. Only the life sentence is excluded.

Of California's 7,300 third-strikers, 4,200 are doing 25 years to life for a nonserious or nonviolent felony. Proposition 66 also requires judges to resentence these third-strikers, meaning some who have already served several years behind bars may be freed.

Proposition 66 does not eliminate the three-strikes law. It restores voters' original intent to keep violent criminals off the street for good.

Our view: Legislation should never be passed out of grief and passion or in response to a singular event, no matter how horrific. Cooler heads are needed when our fundamental liberties are at stake. California voters should pass Proposition 66.