2020 election results: decisions on euthanasia and the cannabis referendum will not be tonight

Voting is ready and New Zealanders have expressed their opinion on whether they want euthanasia and recreational cannabis legalized.

But they will have to wait a little longer to know the result.

Will we get the results of the referendum tonight?

No. The first look at the results of the referendum will be in two weeks, on October 30th.

These will be the preliminary results, based on “ordinary” voting.

The final result of the referendum will be announced a week later, on November 6, which includes special votes (people who voted from outside their electorate, abroad, a prison or hospital, or registered late).

Why?

Election Commission says priority tonight

It must be based on the counting of the votes of the parties and the electorate so that the results of the elections can be published.

The commission strongly recommended that the government postpone the recount of the referendum until after Election Day.

Justice Minister Andrew Little agreed and said the results were not critical to the formation of a new government.

If there is a majority of “yes” votes in favor of euthanasia, how soon will it be legal?

Not until a year from now, or to be precise, a year after the official referendum result is announced. The official result will be on November 6, so the End of Life Election Law will likely go into effect on November 6, 2021.

The delay is to allow time for systems to be updated and new oversight committees to be established, including a group that will develop a list of doctors, psychiatrists and pharmacists who are willing to participate in assisted death.

The proposed law change gives terminally ill patients access to assisted death if they have the approval of two physicians.

And what about a “no” vote?

Nothing will happen. The status quo will remain, which means that voluntary euthanasia or complicity in suicide will remain illegal.

How about a “yes” vote on the cannabis referendum?

It is more political. A law has been drafted and Labor and Greens have pledged to pass it if they are in power. They could make minor changes to the law after public consultation.

It is not known when it will take effect. This depends on the legislative agenda of the government. But once introduced, it will likely take about a year to become law. Therefore, the legalization of cannabis would likely occur in 2021 or 2022.

NZ First has not committed to supporting the bill and could vote against it depending on what comes up during the public consultation on the law. The Maori Party does not have a position, but co-leader John Tamihere and several other candidates say they are voting “yes” in the referendum.

National and Act say that if they were in power they would introduce the bill, but it would go no further if that is what a select committee recommends. National and Act would likely have a majority on the committee under a rule of national law.

The law would create a legal framework for the sale and supply of cannabis, and would allow people to possess and grow a small amount of cannabis for personal use.