The electric chair stopped being used in most states after courts found it to be cruel and unusual punishment. If you are wondering when did the electric chair stop being used, the answer isn’t a single date—it was a gradual process over decades. This article breaks down the timeline, key legal cases, and the last executions by electrocution.
When Did The Electric Chair Stop Being Used
The electric chair was first used in 1890 in New York. For much of the 20th century, it was a primary method of execution in many states. However, by the 1970s and 1980s, its use began to decline sharply. The turning point came in 2008 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Baze v. Rees that lethal injection was constitutional, but the electric chair was increasingly seen as outdated and cruel.
Here is a quick timeline of key dates:
- 1890 – First execution by electric chair (William Kemmler, New York)
- 1972 – U.S. Supreme Court temporarily halts capital punishment (Furman v. Georgia)
- 1976 – Death penalty reinstated; states begin switching to lethal injection
- 2008 – Nebraska Supreme Court rules electric chair unconstitutional
- 2013 – Virginia becomes the last state to use the electric chair (Robert Gleason)
- 2021 – South Carolina passes law allowing electric chair if lethal injection drugs are unavailable
Why Did States Stop Using The Electric Chair
Several factors contributed to the decline. First, lethal injection was seen as more humane and less painful. Second, botched executions in the electric chair drew public outrage. For example, in 1990, Jesse Tafero’s execution in Florida went wrong when flames erupted from his head.
Key reasons include:
- Legal challenges – Courts found the electric chair violated the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
- Medical evidence – Autopsies showed that electrocution often caused severe burns and brain damage before death.
- Public opinion – Polls showed growing support for lethal injection over electrocution.
- State legislation – Many states simply replaced the electric chair with lethal injection in their statutes.
Last Executions By Electric Chair In The United States
The electric chair is still legal in a few states, but it is rarely used. The last execution by electric chair in the U.S. was in Virginia in 2013. Robert Gleason was executed for murder. After that, Virginia abolished the death penalty in 2021.
Other recent uses include:
- 2019 – Tennessee used the electric chair for the first time in over a decade (David Earl Miller)
- 2020 – Tennessee again used electrocution (Nicholas Todd Sutton)
- 2021 – South Carolina passed a law allowing the electric chair as a backup method
Current Legal Status Of The Electric Chair
As of 2025, the electric chair is still authorized in eight states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia (though Virginia abolished the death penalty, the law remains on the books). However, it is only used if lethal injection is unavailable or if the inmate chooses it.
Most executions today are by lethal injection. The electric chair is considered a last resort. In South Carolina, for example, the state struggled to obtain lethal injection drugs and passed a law in 2021 requiring inmates to choose between electrocution or firing squad.
Key Court Cases That Shaped The Electric Chair’s Decline
Several court cases directly addressed the constitutionality of the electric chair:
- Francis v. Resweber (1947) – Supreme Court ruled that a second attempt at electrocution was not cruel and unusual.
- Glass v. Louisiana (1985) – Justice Brennan called the electric chair “a spectacle of violence.”
- Baze v. Rees (2008) – Supreme Court upheld lethal injection, but noted the electric chair was problematic.
- State v. Mata (2008) – Nebraska Supreme Court ruled the electric chair unconstitutional.
How The Electric Chair Compares To Lethal Injection
Lethal injection is now the standard in 27 states. It involves a series of drugs that cause unconsciousness, paralysis, and cardiac arrest. The electric chair, by contrast, delivers a high-voltage shock that stops the heart and brain function.
Here is a comparison:
| Aspect | Electric Chair | Lethal Injection |
|---|---|---|
| Pain level | High risk of pain and burns | Low risk if properly administered |
| Botch rate | Higher (e.g., flames, prolonged death) | Lower but still occurs |
| Legal status | Rarely used, mostly backup | Primary method in most states |
| Public perception | Outdated and cruel | More acceptable |
International Use Of The Electric Chair
Outside the United States, the electric chair has been used only in the Philippines. The Philippines used it from 1926 to 1976. The last execution by electric chair there was in 1976. Today, no other country uses the electric chair for executions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the electric chair still used today?
Yes, but very rarely. As of 2025, it is still legal in eight states, but only used when lethal injection is not available.
What was the last execution by electric chair?
The last execution by electric chair in the U.S. was Robert Gleason in Virginia in 2013.
Why did states stop using the electric chair?
Courts found it to be cruel and unusual punishment, and lethal injection became the preferred method.
Which state used the electric chair the most?
New York used it the most historically, but Virginia and Florida also had high numbers.
Can an inmate choose the electric chair?
In some states, yes. For example, in Tennessee and South Carolina, inmates can choose electrocution over lethal injection.
Final Thoughts On The Electric Chair’s Decline
The electric chair stopped being used in most states after courts found it to be cruel and unusual punishment. While it is still on the books in a few places, its use is extremely rare. The shift to lethal injection reflects changing standards of human decency and legal precedent. If you are researching capital punishment history, the electric chair represents a pivotal chapter that is now largely closed.
Remember that the exact date when the electric chair stopped being used varies by state. For most, it was between the 1980s and early 2000s. The last active use was in 2013, but it could technically be used again in states that still authorize it.
