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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A slim majority of Puerto Ricans sought to change their ties with the United States and become the 51st U.S. state in a non-binding referendum that would require final approval from Congress.
The two-part referendum asked whether the island wanted to change its 114-year relationship with the United States. Nearly 54 percent, or 922,374 people, sought to change it, while 46 percent, or 786,749 people, favored the status quo. Ninety-six percent of 1,643 precincts were reporting as of early Wednesday.
The second question asked voters to choose from three options, with statehood by far the favorite, garnering 61 percent. Sovereign free association, which would have allowed for more autonomy, received 33 percent, while independence got 5 percent.
President Barack Obama earlier expressed support for the referendum and pledged to respect the will of the people in the event of a clear majority.
It is unclear whether U.S. Congress will debate the referendum results or if Obama will consider the results to be a clear enough majority.
Puerto Rico's resident commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, who has championed statehood, did not return calls for comment. He received 48 percent or 874,914 votes, while his opponent, Rafael Cox Alomar, received 47 percent or 855,732 votes with 96 percent of precincts reporting.
The island is currently a U.S. territory whose inhabitants are U.S. citizens but are prohibited from voting in presidential elections. Its resident commissioner in the U.S. House also has limited voting powers.
I literally was just about to start a new thread on this
How would this factor into the electoral college if added. Would this just be a redistricting of the exisitng numbers or additional ones. It is about the size of OK with 7 congressmen/electoral votes
Based on it's 2010 population Puerto Rico would get 5 Congressional representatives so the number of Congressmen would be set to 540 + the non-voting delegates for Guam, American Samoa, the US Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Washington DC until the 2020 Census when re-redistricting would reduce the seats back to 535 + the non-voting territory delegates.
It will never happen because that would increase the number of congressional Democrats for both the House and the Senate. The Republicans will never allow that to happen as long as they have the political means to prevent it.
It will never happen because that would increase the number of congressional Democrats for both the House and the Senate. The Republicans will never allow that to happen as long as they have the political means to prevent it.
Puerto Rico is a very strongly Republican territory. I agree though, the Democrats will never allow it, and the rednecks will revolt because PR would have stronger representation than half the states. If it's to be admitted, it'll likely be in tandem with another territory.
Also for CD geeks San Jaun would be just about the size of the St Louis UA potentially displacing it in the ranks
Also looking forward to the numerous upcoming threads to whether San Juan is the Hispanic capital of the US and/or the most unique city in the United States...
Also looking forward to the numerous upcoming threads to whether San Juan is the Hispanic capital of the US and/or the most unique city in the United States...
I wonder how many people in the rest of the US know that New Mexico has a bi-ligual constitution...
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