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Old 09-22-2020, 09:54 AM   #139
Edward64
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Quote:
Originally Posted by NobodyHere View Post
But for Puerto Rico, I need to be more convinced that they want statehood.

I have no strong opinion on PR statehood but looked up the history.

2020 Puerto Rican status referendum - Wikipedia
Quote:
A referendum of the status of Puerto Rico is set to be held on November 3, 2020, concurrently with the gubernatorial and other elections. It was announced by Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced on May 16, 2020. This will be the sixth referendum held on the status of Puerto Rico, with the previous one having taken place in 2017. This will be the first referendum with a simple yes-or-no question, with voters having the option of voting for or against becoming a U.S. state. The New Progressive Party (PNP), of whom Vázquez is a member, supports statehood, while the opposition Popular Democratic Party (PDP) is against.

The referendum will be non-binding, as the power to grant statehood lies with the United States Congress. The referendum was not approved by the United States Department of Justice. The party platforms of both the Republican Party and Democratic Party continue to affirm Puerto Ricans' right to self-determination and be admitted as a state, as both have for decades, at least in theory, though individual Republican legislators have been more skeptical.

According to Senate Bill 1467, which placed the referendum on the ballot, voting "No" on the referendum would mean that a seven-member commission would be appointed to negotiate with the federal government for the free association or independence of Puerto Rico.[1][2]

Apparently there was a boycott in the 2017 and hence the 23% turnout.
Quote:
Puerto Rico has had five previous referendums on its status.[8] A vote in 1967 rejected statehood.[9] The next three referendums produced no clear majorities.[4] The non-binding 2017 referendum was in favor of statehood, but had only a 23% turnout.[3]
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