By Curt Woodward, The Associated Press
OLYMPIA — Supporters of an assisted suicide initiative said Wednesday they’ve submitted about 320,000 voter signatures to state election officials, which should be enough to easily win a spot on Washington’s fall ballot.
Initiative 1000 is shaping up as this year’s marquee ballot measure, with the opposition battling a well-connected “yes” campaign led by Democratic former Gov. Booth Gardner.
Initiative supporters already have raised more than $1.1 million, and opponents have raised about $88,000.
Washington’s proposed “Death with Dignity” initiative mirrors Oregon’s law — the only assisted suicide law in the U.S. — which took effect in 1997 after a lengthy court fight.
If approved by voters, I-1000 would allow terminally ill people to legally obtain lethal prescription drugs for ending their own lives.
Any patient requesting the fatal medication would have to make two oral requests, 15 days apart, and submit a written request witnessed by two people, including one person who is not a relative, heir, attending doctor, or connected with a health facility where the requester lives.
Two doctors would have to agree on the diagnosis of a terminal disease — giving the patient six months or less to live — and declare the patient “is competent, is acting voluntarily, and has made an informed decision.”
