What is the most important requirement to become a state?

Answer 1

In terms of a state like the 50 states of America, one has to be accepted the majority of the territory voters and then by Congress. The case of Puerto Rico is different. Last year Congress passed H.R. 2499. Under this legislation, there are two plebiscites (Latin for voting) on the island. In the first vote, there are two options:

(1) Puerto Rico should continue to have its

present form of political status. If you agree, mark

here ___

(2) Puerto Rico should have a different political

status. If you agree, mark here___

If option 1 has the majority, then Puerto Rico must schedule a vote every 8 years or until the majority of voters vote for either independence or statehood (see below)

If option two has the majority, then there is a second round of voting where there are three options:

(1) Independence: Puerto Rico should become fully independent from the United States. If you agree, mark here___.

(2) Sovereignty in Association with the United States: Puerto Rico and the United States should form a political association between sovereign nations

that will not be subject to the Territorial Clause of the United States Constitution. If you agree, mark here___

(3) Statehood: Puerto Rico should be admitted as a State of the Union. If you agree, mark here____

Option 1 is for full independence; Option 2 is the status quo; Option 3 is for statehood.

Prior to H.R 2499, Puerto Rico in the first round just had a yes or no answer in the first round of voting. Puerto Rico had voting for independence or statehood several times since 1967 and each time Puerto Rico voted for the status quo.