A non-binding referendum will be held in Puerto Rico on November 5, 2024, alongside the 2024 Puerto Rican general election and the 2024 United States elections.
Background
editIn the 2020 Puerto Rican status referendum the option to pursue statehood won the referendum 52.52%–47.48%.[1]
In 2022, the United States House of Representatives passed the Puerto Rico Status Act.[2]
In August 2024, the Puerto Rico Supreme Court dismissed the July 2024 petition by the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) asking the State Election Commission (CEE) to halt the status plebiscite.[3][4]
In September 2024, the American Civil Rights Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit seeking a preliminary and permanent injunction, as well as a declaratory judgment, allowing potential voters to register, through October 6.[5] On October 1, the High Court of Puerto Rico dismissed the lawsuit filed by the American Civil Rights Union (ACLU). The Court declines to intervene in Puerto Rico's electoral processes or grant the extraordinary remedy of a preliminary injunction. The American Civil Rights Union (ACLU) has failed to demonstrate that the September 21 voter registration deadline constitutes an unconstitutional disenfranchisement, or a manifest injustice, that justifies the intrusion of the United States federal government, into the election administration of the State of Puerto Rico.[6]
Campaign
editNew Progressive Party (PNP) gubernatorial candidate Jennifer Gonzalez Colon called a blank vote a "wasted vote" emphasizing the importance of the vote.[7] The pro-statehood Republican Party of Puerto Rico supports the referendum.[8]
The Popular Democratic Party called for a blank vote for not including Commonwealth or the current system.[9] Gubernatorial candidate of Proyecto Dignidad Javier Jiménez announced that he will not vote but granted their members free vote.[10] Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana called to "damage" their referendum and presidential ballots and their resident commissioner candidate Ana Irma Rivera Lassén announced that she will write "Get out LUMA" on both.[11] The Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) denounced the referendum as "unconstitutional and illegal" and "a desperate act by the PNP leadership".[12]
Question
editThe referendum will feature three choices in the following order: independence with free association; statehood and independence.[13] It will be the first time the island's current status as a U.S. territory will not be an option.[14]
Polling
edit| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Statehood | Free association | Independence | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaither International[15] | 12 July–1 August 2024 | 1,138 (A) | — | 45% | 23% | 11% | 21% |
| AtlasIntel[16] | 15–22 February 2024 | 2,200 (V) | ± 2.0% | 47.2% | 23.3% | 11.4% | 18.1% |
Notes
edit- ^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
References
edit- ^ "Plebiscito Resulatados Isal" [Island Plesbiscite Results]. Comisión Estatal de Elecciones [Puerto Rico State Commission on Elections] (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2021-02-02. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
- ^ Kohli, Anisha (2022-12-17). "Puerto Rico Independence Bill Passes in the House". TIME. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
- ^ "Supremo le dice que no a petición del PIP para detener impresión de papeletas". Metro.pr (in Spanish). 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ "Tribunal Supremo desestima demanda del PIP para invalidar el plebiscito criollo". El Nuevo Dia (in Spanish). 2024-08-28. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ Figueroa Cancel, Alex (2024-09-23). "La ACLU radica demanda federal para que el cierre del periodo de inscripción en el registro electoral sea en octubre". El Nuevo Dia (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-10-02.
- ^ Torres Nieves, Valéria María (2024-10-01). "Tribunal Federal desestima demanda de la ACLU para reabrir el registro electoral". El Nuevo Dia (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-10-02.
- ^ Diaz Tirado, Adriana (2024-07-04). ""Una papeleta en blanco es un voto perdido": Jenniffer González defiende el plebiscito "criollo" en ceremonia del 4 de julio". El Nuevo Día (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ^ Delgado, José A. (2024-07-16). "Republicanos de la isla harían campaña por Donald Trump si se mantiene la votación presidencial simbólica de Puerto Rico". El Nuevo Día (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ^ Acevedo Irizarry, Marielis (2024-07-27). "Partido Demócrata en Puerto Rico hará campaña para que boricuas voten por Kamala Harris en cuarta papeleta el 5 de noviembre". El Diario La Prensa (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-07-27.
- ^ "Javier Jiménez no votará en el nuevo plebiscito". NotiCel (in Spanish). 2024-07-03. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
- ^ "Decisión 2024: MVC insta a "dañar" la papeleta del plebiscito y la de presidencia". WAPA-TV (in Spanish). 2024-09-01. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
- ^ "Al Tribunal Supremo el PIP para impugnar plebiscito". Microjuris (in Spanish). 2024-07-12. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ^ "Puerto Rico finalizes details of upcoming referendum on political status amid criticism over cost". AP News. 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
- ^ "Puerto Rico will include status plebiscite in November's general elections". AP News. 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2024-08-08.
- ^ "Puerto Rico Political Landscape" (PDF). Puerto Rico 51st. Gaither International. p. 24. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ "Encuesta Atlas - Puerto Rico - Elecciones 2024" (PDF). AtlasIntel (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2024.