Latest Poll Suggests Margin Narrowing On Assisted Suicide Ballot Question

October 31, 2012

Carey Goldberg

(Photo illustration by Alex Kingsbury/WBUR)

From the WBUR newsroom:

BOSTON (AP) - A new poll shows support for all three initiatives on the Massachusetts ballot next month, but approval for the so-called "death with dignity" question appears to be slipping.
The Suffolk University/WHDH-TV poll shows Question 2 supported by a 47 to 41 percent margin, compared with a 64-27 percent margin of backing in a similar poll taken six weeks earlier.
The proposal would allow doctors to prescribe life-ending medication at the request of certain terminally ill patients.
Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed backed Question 1, which would require automakers to share diagnostic and repair information with independent mechanics. Fifty-five percent backed Question 3, which would allow marijuana to be used for some medical purposes.
The survey of 600 likely voters, conducted Oct. 25-28, had a margin of error of plus or minus four points.

This program aired on October 31, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.