New Zealanders vote to legalize euthanasia in referendum

Driving the news: Members of Parliament last year voted individually in a conscience vote, rather than along party lines, to put the bill to a referendum. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was among those to support the measure.

• Under the new law, applicants must meet strict requirements, including the ability to make informed decisions about assisted dying.

The big picture: Euthanasia and the variants of "assisted dying and assisted suicide" are legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Colombia and the Australian state of Victoria, the Guardian notes.

• In the U.S., physician-assisted suicide has been legalized in nine states and the District of Columbia, per CNN.

Of note: The NZ vote was one of two referendums people voted on during the country's Oct. 17 general election, which Ardern's Labour Party won in a landslide.

• In the other referendum, 53.1% voted against legalizing cannabis and 46.1% for the measure.
• The results do not include an estimated 480,000 special ballots, such as those cast from abroad.

What's next: Final election results will be announced Nov. 6.

• The End of Life Choice Bill will come into force 12 months after the official result is declared.