A new Siena College poll released Tuesday finds that New Yorkers continue to support medical aid in dying by a nearly 2-to-1 margin, with 54% of voters in favor and 28% opposed.
The poll measured support for legislation allowing doctors to prescribe life-ending medication to terminally ill patients with decision-making capacity—a policy backed by major medical and legal groups across the state.
“This new Siena College poll… reconfirms what every poll on this issue in New York has shown: New Yorkers strongly support the Medical Aid in Dying Act,” said Corinne Carey, senior campaign director for Compassion & Choices in New York and New Jersey.
Support crosses political lines, with Democrats favoring the proposal by 33 points, independents by 28, and Republicans by nine. Regionally, support is strongest in the downstate suburbs and upstate New York, both showing a 37-point margin, while New York City voters back the policy by 34 points.
The issue also finds backing among various faith groups, with Jewish voters supporting it 53-30% and Catholic voters 52-30%.
Carey said Governor Kathy Hochul now has a clear mandate from the public. “Governor Hochul has the opportunity to do the right thing on the merits, which also happens to be the position of the majority of New York voters. Win, win.”
If enacted, the legislation would make New York the 12th state—plus Washington, D.C.—to authorize medical aid in dying. Advocates say it would offer peace of mind to terminally ill patients and provide an essential end-of-life option.
The bill has earned endorsements from a wide range of organizations, including the Medical Society of the State of New York, New York State Bar Association, Hospice & Palliative Care Association of New York State, and the League of Women Voters of New York State.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].