Siena Poll: New York Voters Support Medical Aid in Dying By Nearly 2-to-1 Margin

Nov 20, 2023 New York

Advocates Urge NY Lawmakers to Pass Medical Aid in Dying Act When They Return in January

Nearly six out of 10 registered New York State voters (58%) support “legislation that would allow a doctor to prescribe lethal drugs that a terminally ill patient with demonstrated decision-making capacity could take on their own in order to end their own life,” according to a new Siena College poll released Monday. Only three out of 10 voters (30%) surveyed statewide oppose medical aid-in-dying legislation. (See poll question 28 on page 5 of crosstabs).

“This new Siena College poll – showing nearly a 2-1 margin of support for medical aid in dying – once again confirms what every state poll on this issue has shown: Whether it’s Siena, Marist or Quinnipiac, voters have consistently told the Legislature to pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act,” said Corinne Carey, Compassion & Choices’ senior campaign director for New York and New Jersey. “State lawmakers have the power to provide terminally ill, dying New Yorkers with an option for a peaceful death, surrounded by loved ones, free of pain and suffering. Legislators cannot and should not continue to ignore the pleas of their constituents. When lawmakers return to Albany in January, they should do what New Yorkers have been asking for years: Join California, New Jersey, Vermont, seven other states, and Washington, D.C. in allowing medical aid in dying as an end-of-life care option.”