Castleton
posted
Feb 27, 2013
The Castleton Polling Institute at Castleton College recently
polled Vermonters on a number of issues related to public
policy. The results of this poll will be released over the
coming week to help clarify public opinion on gun control, wind
energy, single-payer health care, and the use of cell phones while
driving. In addition, the Polling Institute asked Vermonters
to weigh in on the issue that is called "death with dignity" by
some and "physician-assisted suicide" by others. The question
asked, "Would you favor or oppose legislation allowing someone who
is terminally ill to take prescribed medicine to end his or her
life?"
Overall, 68 percent of Vermont adults say that they would favor
such legislation, while less than a quarter of all respondents (22
percent) oppose it; 9 percent say that they don't have an opinion
on the matter. When we asked the same question of registered
voters in May 2012 in a poll for WCAX/WDEV/Vermont Business
Magazine, 72 percent of registered voters expressed support for
such legislation. In the current poll, registered voters are
more likely to support the legislation than are those who are not
registered to vote, by a margin of 5 percentage points.
While a strong majority of Vermonters today say that they
support such legislation, Vermont seniors (those aged 65 or older)
are less likely to support the legislation (54 percent) than the
general public. There are no significant differences in views
on this legislation between men and women or among those with
different levels of education.
The data in this poll are based on 620 completed interviews, 130
of which were respondents reached by cell phone. The
interviews were conducted between Feb. 6-17, 2013.
Data reflecting Vermonters' attitudes on gun control, wind
energy, health care, and cell phone use while driving will all be
made public on the Polling Institute's website:
www.castleton.edu/polling/results.htm.
