Oregon Measure 16, Physician-Assisted Death Initiative (1994)
| Oregon Measure 16 | |
|---|---|
|
|
|
| Election date |
|
| Topic Assisted death |
|
| Status |
|
| Type Initiated state statute |
Origin |
Oregon Measure 16 was on the ballot as an initiated state statute in Oregon on November 8, 1994. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported this ballot initiative to allow persons suffering from a terminal disease, after meeting certain requirements, to obtain a physician’s prescription for drugs to end his or her life. |
A "no" vote opposed this ballot initiative to allow persons suffering from a terminal disease, after meeting certain requirements, to obtain a physician’s prescription for drugs to end his or her life. |
Election results
|
Oregon Measure 16 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
|
|
627,980 | 51.31% | ||
| No | 596,018 | 48.69% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Measure 16 was as follows:
| “ | Shall law allow terminally ill adult patients voluntary informed choice to obtain physician’s prescription for drugs to end life? | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
| “ |
Adopts law. Allows terminally ill adult Oregon residents voluntary informed choice to obtain physician’s prescription for drugs to end life. Removes criminal penalties for qualifying physician-assisted suicide. Applies when physicians predict patient’s death within 6 months. Requires: • 15-day waiting period; • 2 oral, 1 written request; • second physician’s opinion; • counseling if either physician believes patient has mental disorder, impaired judgment from depression. Person has choice whether to notify next of kin. Health care providers immune from civil, criminal liability for good faith compliance. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
An initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are 21 states that allow citizens to initiate state statutes, including 14 that provide for direct initiatives and nine (9) that provide for indirect initiatives (two provide for both). An indirect initiated state statute goes to the legislature after a successful signature drive. The legislatures in these states have the option of approving the initiative itself, rather than the initiative appearing on the ballot.
In Oregon, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 6% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
See also
External links
Footnotes
 |
State of Oregon Salem (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2024 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
