Results of the referendum on euthanasia and cannabis at 2:00 pm: Is the Kiwi social fabric about to change?

Major changes in the social fabric of New Zealand are potentially on the horizon with today’s preliminary results of the referendums on euthanasia and cannabis.

The Election Commission will release the results at 2 pm, but any close margin could mean another week of nervous waiting before final results are released on November 6.

The final tally will include 480,000-plus special votes, which at 17 percent of the total tally could be a watershed change.

The outcome of euthanasia, if recent polls are of any use, is expected to transcend the line, meaning the end-of-life election bill would become law.

The cannabis result is expected to be closer, with more recent polls showing ‘no’ voting ahead, although some poll results bucked that trend in the weeks leading up to Election Day.

Special votes also tend to be more to the left, meaning that a small advantage for the “no” vote could be changed on special votes.

Green MP Chloe Swarbrick said New Zealand was on the cusp of major social change that could improve the lives of thousands of people, not only for those who suffer from an unevenly applied drug law, but also for those who are they would benefit from more funds for health and addiction services. .

“It’s pretty important. We haven’t even begun to clarify what this could mean in terms of the ability to help people.”

But he was also concerned that a “no” vote would relegate the issue to the back burner for at least a few more years.

“Look at the caution of the politicians. There is a reason why I was left alone as a green deputy to advocate for this.”

Today, the Law’s leader, David Seymour, is hosting a function in Parliament that he quietly hopes will be a celebration of his End of Life Choice Act.

An exit poll conducted by Curia showed that 61 percent voted in favor of the bill, while 29 percent voted against and 10 percent declined to say so.

“Theoretically it could be a bad poll, but it would have to be pretty bad,” Seymour told the Herald.

“I think it is a great step forward for New Zealand as a human and civilized society.”

A large margin in today’s result would effectively mark the end of Seymour’s five-year journey since he first put the bill on the ballot.

“Many people want to make a difference in their work, and many parliamentarians work very hard and, through no fault of their own, they do not have the opportunity to make a major change in the law.

“So I feel very fortunate in that regard. In practical terms, it means that thousands of people in the next few years who could have had heinous deaths will have control, dignity and choice.”

Among those expected to be at Seymour’s function are Shirley Seales and, via Skype from New York, Matt Vickers, the mother and widowed husband of euthanasia activist Lecretia Seales.

The referendum is binding and a majority of “yes” votes would make it law, and terminally ill patients will be able to request assisted death as of November 6 next year.

The cannabis referendum is non-binding, but Labor has pledged to push through the cannabis control and legalization bill in the event of a “yes” vote.

A spokesman for the Drug Foundation said they were “slightly optimistic” given that the special votes tended to be from the left.

A higher turnout in these elections (82.5% compared to 79.8% in 2017) and Swarbrick’s preliminary victory in Auckland Central are also signs that more young people voted this time, and they tend to be “yes” voters. .

Swarbrick, one of the loudest voices in the “yes” campaign, will be at Albert Park Fountain in Auckland at 3pm to address the media.

An hour later, the Say Nope to Dope campaign will host a press conference at the Urban Soul cafe in Manukau.

Campaign spokesman Aaron Ironside said a tight result would not be surprising.

“We are aware that special votes may well be a shift towards ‘yes’ rather than ‘no.’ We have a number in mind where we will be sure that undecided votes are unlikely to undo that.

He declined to share the number, but said it was close to the latest 1 News Colmar Brunton poll, which was 51% “no” and 41% “yes.”

The campaign will remain active if there is a majority of “yes” votes, he said.

“We have not resolved the ‘how’, but our intention is to participate in the [parliamentary] process to try to address the issues that concern us most. “

These include minimizing youth use, THC potency, and proximity of licensed facilities to vulnerable communities.

“Of course, we still hope that we don’t get to that. [today’s] The result is very close, it would not be wise for either party to claim victory. “