According to an annual report on capital punishment, the death penalty in the United States is facing a decline in use and support, with more Americans believing that it is administered unfairly. The report highlights the growing isolation of capital punishment in the country. While some scholars are optimistic about the total eradication of the death penalty in the near future, experts believe that it will continue to decline rather than completely disappear. In 2023, there were 24 executions and 21 death sentences, marking the ninth consecutive year with fewer than 30 executions and 50 death sentences. Only five states, namely Texas, Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Alabama, conducted executions in the year, the lowest number in 20 years.

The decline in support for the death penalty is evident in a Gallup poll that found 50% of Americans believe it is applied unfairly, compared to 47% who believe it is fairly implemented. This marks the highest percentage since Gallup started measuring the fairness of the death penalty's application in 2000. The poll result could be attributed to more young people and others questioning the U.S. criminal justice system following the killing of George Floyd in 2020.

The number of death row exonerations since 1975, including three in 2023, has also contributed to changing public opinion regarding the fairness of the death penalty. Additionally, various individuals, including conservative legislators, have raised concerns or debated the future of capital punishment in recent years. However, in states like Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas, the death penalty remains deeply entrenched.

Difficulties in securing supplies of execution drugs have led some states to explore new and untested methods of execution or revive previously abandoned ones. Alabama, for example, has set a January execution date for what would be the nation's first attempt to execute an inmate with nitrogen gas. Idaho has also authorized executions by firing squad, becoming the fifth state to do so. Nevertheless, the Death Penalty Information Center's report indicates that a majority of states, 29 in total, have either abolished the death penalty or paused executions.

While experts believe that the number of states without the death penalty could rise to 40, they are skeptical about a nationwide ban. Recent actions by the Supreme Court have shown that it is unlikely to interfere with states carrying out executions. The court granted only one stay of execution out of 34 requests made during its 2022-23 term. The report also mentions that earlier this year, the GOP-led Texas House passed a bill to eliminate the death penalty in cases involving individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, the bill did not progress in the Texas Senate.

Overall, although the death penalty is facing a decline in use and support, it is uncertain whether this will lead to its abolition in the United States. Experts believe that there could be some changes even in states like Texas, but a complete abandonment of capital punishment is not expected in the near future.