Puerto Rico to be 51st state

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Puerto Rico votes on US ties and chooses governor
People ride atop a vehicle waving a Puerto Rican flag during elections in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. Puerto Ricans are electing a governor as the U.S. island territory does not get a vote in the U.S. presidential election. But they are also casting ballots in a referendum that asks voters if they want to change the relationship to the United States. A second question gives voters three alternatives: become the 51st U.S. state, independence, or sovereign free association, a designation that would give more autonomy. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo) People ride atop a vehicle waving a Puerto Rican flag during elections in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. Puerto Ricans are electing a governor as the U.S. island territory does not get a vote in the U.S. presidential election. But they are also casting ballots in a referendum that asks voters if they want to change the relationship to the United States. A second question gives voters three alternatives: become the 51st U.S. state, independence, or sovereign free association, a designation that would give more autonomy. (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)
By DANICA COTO
Associated Press / November 7, 2012

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Ricans faced a fundamental question on Election Day: Should they change their ties with the United States?

Citizens in the U.S. island territory cannot vote in the U.S. presidential election, but many were excited to participate in a referendum on whether to push the territory toward statehood, greater autonomy or independence.

Car horns blared and party flags waved after polling stations closed following what election officials said was a high voter turnout. During the day, many voters carried umbrellas against the blistering tropical sun as temperatures neared 90 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius).

The two-part referendum first asked voters if they wanted to change Puerto Rico’s 114-year relationship with the United States. A second question gave voters three alternatives if they wanted a change: become a U.S. state, gain independence, or have a ‘‘sovereign free association,’’ a designation that would give more autonomy for the territory of 4 million people.

With 243 of 1,643 precincts reporting late Tuesday, 75,188 voters, or 53 percent, said they did not want to continue under the current political status. Forty-seven percent, or 67,304 voters, supported the status quo.

On the second question, 65 percent favored statehood, followed by 31 percent for sovereign free association and 4 percent for independence.

‘‘Puerto Rico has to be a state. There is no other option,’’ said 25-year-old Jerome Lefebre, who picked up his grandfather before driving to the polls. ‘‘We’re doing OK, but we could do better. We would receive more benefits, a lot more financial help.’’

But 42-year-old Ramon Lopez de Azua said he favored the current system, which grants U.S. citizenship but prevents Puerto Ricans from voting for president unless they live in the United States, and gives those on the island only limited representation in Congress.

‘‘Puerto Rico’s problem is not its political status,’’ he said. ‘‘I think that the United States is the best country in the world, but I am Puerto Rican first.’’

Both President Barack Obama and rival Mitt Romney said they supported the referendum, with Obama pledging to respect the will of the people if there was a clear majority. Any change would require approval by the U.S. Congress.

Puerto Rico held non-binding referendums in 1967, 1993 and 1998, with statehood never garnering a clear majority and independence never obtaining more than 5 percent of the vote.

The island also was electing legislators and a governor, with Gov. Luis Fortuno of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party seeking a second term. Fortuno, a Republican, was challenged by Alejandro Garcia Padilla, whose Popular Democratic Party favors the status quo. With 817 of 1,643 precincts reporting late Tuesday, Garcia had 427,604 votes, or 48 percent, while Fortuno had 422,506 votes, or 47 percent.

___

Associated Press writer Ben Fox contributed to this report.end of story marker

Well, it's going to be a bit of a bitch updating all those flags, but hey, welcome to full on statehood Puerto Rico.

[Zinegata]

It's not a sure thing yet. There's still a process to go through, and it could be rejected by Congress.

[Masami von Weizegger]

What would be the timetable on something like this anyway? It doesn't seem like something that could be done quickly.

[Zinegata]

Hard to say, when Alaska was trying to become a state they ran into plenty of opposition in the Congress. Not to mention that the citizens of Puerto Rico aren't exactly overwhelmingly in favor of this... if you look at the numbers the people in favor of the status quo as opposed to statehood is actually greater (47% of the overall population voted for the status quo. Only 53% wanted a change, and of that group only 65% wanted statehood... or about 34% of the total voting population.)

Statehood didn't even get a plurality, strictly speaking. "Status Quo" did.

[TimothyC]

Hard to say, when Alaska was trying to become a state they ran into plenty of opposition in the Congress. Not to mention that the citizens of Puerto Rico aren't exactly overwhelmingly in favor of this... if you look at the numbers the people in favor of the status quo as opposed to statehood is actually greater (47% of the overall population voted for the status quo. Only 53% wanted a change, and of that group only 65% wanted statehood... or about 34% of the total voting population.)

Statehood didn't even get a plurality, strictly speaking. "Status Quo" did.

You misunderstand - There were two separate issues, and the voting on the first didn't mean a vote, or lack thereof for the other.

On the first issue, it was do you want to maintain the current the relationship between the Puerto Rico and the rest of the US? 934,238 (as of the time of this posting) said no [IE voting to change the status], while 796,007 said yes [do not change the status].

The second issue was If the relationship changes, what does it change too? 802,179 said Statehood - I'd also note that ~ 400,000 fewer voters voted on the second issue than on the first.

[White Haven]

If the GOP ever wants a ghost of a prayer of carrying Florida ever again, they won't stand in its way if it gets to the congress. The Hispanic vote there would crucify them for it.

[Zaune]

If they had any say in it there probably wouldn't be a Hispanic vote...

[Guardsman Bass]

This was another non-binding referendum. Realistically, Congress would want to set up a more binding referendum with the four potential choices - and a requirement that the winning choice get a majority. After that, it would go into Congress to be voted upon.

[ryacko]

The difference between Alaska and Puerto Rico, is that there is no Alaskan nationalism (besides by aborigines), and Puerto Rican nationalists attempted to assassinate Truman and strafe the House of Representatives.

[Guardsman Bass]

That was nearly 60 years ago, and their current political support is non-existent. We saw in this referendum, but it's been the same in other referenda - they consistently get something like 4-5% of the population's support.

[ryacko]

But there is a history of nationalism, and a history of the United States cracking down brutally upon nationalism.

Besides, all you need is a few percent of fervent believers in a cause to wreck havoc in an area. The fact that a few percent values independence over say, other political issues (does the independence party even have a platform), is indicative of difficulties, to say the least.

[Hillary]

But there is a history of nationalism, and a history of the United States cracking down brutally upon nationalism.

Besides, all you need is a few percent of fervent believers in a cause to wreck havoc in an area. The fact that a few percent values independence over say, other political issues (does the independence party even have a platform), is indicative of difficulties, to say the least.

Do you have to shit up every thread with your imagined populist uprisings?

[hongi]

Will Puerto Rico be more Republican or Democrat leaning?

[General Mung Beans]

Will Puerto Rico be more Republican or Democrat leaning?

While Puerto Ricans on the mainland tend to be Democrats, the island is current being governed by a party affiliated with the GOP.

[Guardsman Bass]

But there is a history of nationalism, and a history of the United States cracking down brutally upon nationalism.

Besides, all you need is a few percent of fervent believers in a cause to wreck havoc in an area. The fact that a few percent values independence over say, other political issues (does the independence party even have a platform), is indicative of difficulties, to say the least.

Those believers haven't been carrying out havoc now, unlike 60 years ago. It's really unlikely they'll trying anything now, especially not if the majority of Puerto Rico verifies statehood by democratic vote.

[gigabytelord]

Will Puerto Rico be more Republican or Democrat leaning?

I always got the feeling that they would lean more towards the republicans but then the news I've heard recently says Obama is very popular so I would say its a toss up?

Isn't the majority of the population Catholic? I would think that might affect the party leanings somewhat.

[Zinegata]

Hard to say, when Alaska was trying to become a state they ran into plenty of opposition in the Congress. Not to mention that the citizens of Puerto Rico aren't exactly overwhelmingly in favor of this... if you look at the numbers the people in favor of the status quo as opposed to statehood is actually greater (47% of the overall population voted for the status quo. Only 53% wanted a change, and of that group only 65% wanted statehood... or about 34% of the total voting population.)

Statehood didn't even get a plurality, strictly speaking. "Status Quo" did.

You misunderstand - There were two separate issues, and the voting on the first didn't mean a vote, or lack thereof for the other.

On the first issue, it was do you want to maintain the current the relationship between the Puerto Rico and the rest of the US? 934,238 (as of the time of this posting) said no [IE voting to change the status], while 796,007 said yes [do not change the status].

The second issue was If the relationship changes, what does it change too? 802,179 said Statehood - I'd also note that ~ 400,000 fewer voters voted on the second issue than on the first.

Ah, so it was two different items. Well, that's still not exactly a blanket approval for statehood, because that basically means a good chunk of the "Let's do Statehood" people actually also believe "But we'd rather maintain the status quo".

[Broomstick]

But there is a history of nationalism, and a history of the United States cracking down brutally upon nationalism.

Uh-huh...

And Texas and Hawaii used to be actual sovereign, independent nations before becoming states of the US. That's a history of nationalism yet those two states exist peacefully within the larger union.

PR becoming a state is quite doable. I'd prefer it happen because a definite majority of Puerto Ricans actually want US statehood.

[ChaserGrey]

But there is a history of nationalism, and a history of the United States cracking down brutally upon nationalism.

Uh-huh...

And Texas and Hawaii used to be actual sovereign, independent nations before becoming states of the US. That's a history of nationalism yet those two states exist peacefully within the larger union.

And let's not even get started with Texas.

I think this is significant because it's the clearest statement to date that the majority of Puerto Ricans want the current relationship with the US to change. Historically, though, Congress has usually required a clear majority in favor of statehood before they'll approve admission.

[Dalton]

If the GOP wants to woo the Latino vote, I think this would be a good place to start.

[Flagg]

Yeah, if the GOP wanted the Latino vote they would have done some outreach beyond some "scare dem spicks!" ads with Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez in Florida. Plus let's be honest, they don't want the Obama signing them into statehood photo op.

[Losonti Tokash]

If the GOP wants to woo the Latino vote, I think this would be a good place to start.

A lot of the comments I'm seeing from conservatives seem to have given up on latinos, so they've completely gone over to hate speech against PR.

[Dalton]

A lot of the comments I'm seeing from conservatives seem to have given up on latinos, so they've completely gone over to hate speech against PR.

A lot of the comments I've been seeing have been frighteningly violent and unabashedly racist and homophobic. They are in full and complete meltdown mode. I don't remember seeing Democrats act like this in 2004 (aside from the threats to move out of the US).

[Losonti Tokash]

Instead of a penata, I'm bringing a Hispanic Obama supporter. Party goers hit him until he throws out all the free Candy Obama gave him.

Immediately after complaining about how few Latinos voted for Romney, to boot. I expect the GOP to obstruct PR's statehood simply because they're worried it will vote Democratic.

[Ritterin Sophia]

Immediately after complaining about how few Latinos voted for Romney, to boot. I expect the GOP to obstruct PR's statehood simply because they're worried it will vote Democratic.

That's what I've been hearing from most people on the right. "We don't need anymore of them welfare moochers", is the standard rationale for not wanting them to become a state as far as I can ascertain.