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In the last plebiscite held on November 6, 2012, the election results showed that, of the people that voted on the question, over 60% preferred statehood to the other options. This was the first time statehood came out ahead in five attempts since 1967.
The issue was complicated due to what some consider confusing ballot language and the two stage question posed. The first question on the 11/6/12 ballot asked if one wanted to keep the current political status Puerto Rico holds in the US. Most voted no. The second question asked what political status one preferred. Statehood won handily, but the undervote suggests that many of the people who voted yes on the first question did not vote on the second question due to confusion, since the current status was not an option on the second question.
The population of Puerto Rico is evenly divided whether to keep the current status (or enhance autonomy without breaking from the US completely), and statehood. Only about 4% of the population is actually for complete independence from the United States.
To answer the question "why not be a state?" is pretty complicated. Many of those that want to keep status quo feel there is no advantage to statehood, and there could be an erosion of the Spanish culture, and language that makes Puerto Rico unique. Others feel the loss of certain federal tax breaks are not worth the change in status. Puerto Rico enjoys a certain amount of autonomy that some feel would be lost if it became a state.
There are many arguments for statehood, including representation in the US Congress (about 6 Reps + 2 senators) and electoral votes for President of the US. But those against statehood feel this is not enough to offset the negatives.
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What would Puerto Rico need the approval of in order to become the 51st state?
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States. On various occasions there has been enough support to hold free elections as to whether its people wish to remain politically connected to the US or not. So far there has not been any significant efforts to change Puerto Rico's status as a US commonwealth. Should there be a movement to change its status from a commonwealth to a US state, then free elections will be held. If the citizens of Puerto Rico vote to seek statehood, then the laws that govern statehood would need to be applied. If so, it would become the 51st state of the US.
How many provinces states or territories are there in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is a US Territory and contains no provinces, no states, no territories, no counties. It is divided into 78 municipal subdivisions.
What is stopping Puerto Rico from becoming a state?
It has been an ongoing debate since 1948 whether to remain a commonwealth, seek statehood or become independent. What is stopping state hood is the vote of the Puerto Rican People. There have been three plebiscites on the question and so far, remaining a Commonwealth in Free Association with the US has won the vote. However if Puerto Rico ever voted for statehood, the US Congress would have to vote to grant admission as a state and then other political issues might stand in the way.
What does Puerto Rico have in common with the US?
Puerto Rico is a US Commonwealth. All Puerto Ricans are American Citizens. Puerto Rico currency is the US Dollar. Puerto Rico official languages are Spanish and English.www.gotopuertorico.com for more information.Puerto Rico is a protectorate of the USA. Its citizens have voting rights.
What is Puerto Ricos relationship to the US and what does it mean?
Puerto Rico is a territory of the USA. It means the 2 countries have a diplomatic, military, and economic alliance.You may want to revisit the Puerto Rico question- PR is not a territory, but is a Commonwealth- and is part of the US, not a separate country. If you were born in PR, you are a US Citizen.Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the USA. Its citizens cannot vote in presidential elections because it is not a state.
Did Congress vote to make Puerto Rico the 51st state?
No. The US Congress voted to permit the people of Puerto Rico to vote on whether they wanted to become a state, become an independent nation, or maintain their current status. The choice to maintain current status won in the several plebecites that have been held.
Is there going to be 51 US states in the future?
Right now, it is uncertain. Puerto Rico is the most likely candidate for becoming the 51st state, however, the territory has had numerous occasions to do so already and has not voted on statehood. On November 6, Puerto Rico will have another referendum on statehood where it will vote on whether to stay a territory, become a state, or become independent. It is unlikely that Puerto Rico will vote for independence, so it really comes down to statehood or keeping the status quo. It is expected that Puerto Rico will vote to keep territorial status.
Why does Puerto Rico get to vote in the presidential election?
Puerto Rico is not a state and so does not have any electoral votes. However, Puerto Ricans can vote for the president if they establish legal residence in some state and meet the other requirements to vote in that state.
Is it likely for Puerto Rico to get statehood now that they have voted pro-statehood?
Most likely, no. Puerto Rico did vote to become a state, but it is now up to Congress to decide. The House is controlled by the Republicans while the Senate is controlled by the Democrats. It most likely won't pass the House as the Republicans will most likely vote against such. But that doesn't mean it's written in stone, Puerto Rico could definitely become the 51st state. We just have to wait for the vote.
Do you like Puerto Rico?
Yes, but vote for the np to be a state of the US.
What would Puerto Rico need the approval of in order to become the 51st state?
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States. On various occasions there has been enough support to hold free elections as to whether its people wish to remain politically connected to the US or not. So far there has not been any significant efforts to change Puerto Rico's status as a US commonwealth. Should there be a movement to change its status from a commonwealth to a US state, then free elections will be held. If the citizens of Puerto Rico vote to seek statehood, then the laws that govern statehood would need to be applied. If so, it would become the 51st state of the US.
Why do people from Puerto Rico vote US presidential elections?
It is part of the united states of america
When is Puerto Rico going to become a state?
Possibly this November if they vote to do so.
How many US congressmen were from Puerto Rico?
None. Puerto Rico is not a state and does not have any US Representatives. They have an official observer who can make speeches and lobby for legislation, but has no vote.
Why can't Puerto Rico vote question?
Puerto Ricans are citizens of the US, however, since Puerto Rico is a territory and not a state, Puerto Ricans cannot vote for the president.
What state can not vote for president?
if you are a legitimate state and we only have 50 of them you can district of Colombia and puerto rico not being one of them.
Why should we annex Puerto Rico?
There are a number of reasons why it would make sense for Puerto Rico to become the 51st state. One is that a slight majority of Puerto Ricans wish to fully join the United States. Puerto Ricans are already considered U.S. citizens, although they cannot vote in U.S. elections unless they live in the United States (and not in Puerto Rico). Further, Puerto Ricans already pay some forms of U.S. federal taxes, Social Security, and others. Puerto Rico has been under U.S. sovereignty since the end of the Spanish-American War.
