The voters of Puerto Rico will vote on Sunday, June 11, 2017, whether to seek statehood, or whether Puerto Rico should have a more independent status relative to the United States. Those are the only two options on the ballot. Although Puerto Rico has voted on its status four times previously (1967, 1993, 1998, and 2012) past referendums always included the status quo, Commonwealth status, as a choice. This will be the first time that the status quo is not a ballot choice.
If statehood wins, the Puerto Rico will pass a bill providing for elections of two U.S. Senators and five U.S. House members for later in 2017.
If statehood loses, there will be another referendum in a few months, asking voters to choose between total independence, or status as a free nation associated with the United States. That latter choice might or might not continue to provide that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, and might or might not provide that the U.S. dollar would continue to be Puerto Rico’s currency.
The Governor strongly supports statehood. But if statehood wins, then it would be up to Congress to decide whether to admit Puerto Rico as a state. Thanks to Juan Jose Nolla for this information.
I cannot see the current congress approving statehood, and unless there is a huge swing in the Democrat/Green direction next election I don’t see it happening in the near future either.
Is there a ballot line for going back to Spain? There are several articles online about it. Also, I agree with Brandon L. There’s no statehood with a GOP congress. They don’t want more Democrats in Washington.
Since there are more than two options, perhaps ranked voting could resolve the status issue.
Im not supporting statehood for Puerto Rico for my reasons and even in corrupted GOP control majority they cant be that delusional they wasted there life into century and ten-ish year old annexation propaganda when your society is so politically dystopic.
Perhaps Puerto Rico should annex Haiti and then apply for confederation with Cuba.
The Communists in Cuba want Haiti, Puerto Rico, and the rest of the Caribbean alright, but not in the way you mean. Think Grenada, early 1980s.
Does the referendum require 50% in favor of statehood or is it 2/3 of the voters want statehood?
Statehood NOW. My ppl deserve respect & recognition as US citizens. A separate country would be a geneological nightmare. There are more Boricuas living on the mainland & Hawaii than there are on PR itself. Can u imagine trying to get travel visas to PR to visit family still there? Hell, no!! #51 … all the way. Long over due!