Puerto Rico's Senate Bill 1467, put a Measure on the November, 2020 Ballot, on whether to Request that it be Admitted as a U.S. State. The Ballot Measure will ask, "Should Puerto Rico be Immediately Admitted into the Union as a state? Yea or NO.”

If Approved:

- The Governor would Appoint a Seven-Member Commission to Represent Puerto Rico in Matters and Negotiations related to Achieving Statehood. The Commission would Develop a Transition Plan, which the Governor would Approve or Reject, and Present the Plan to Congress and the President.

- Congress would then Decide If and How to Respond.

Puerto Rico has Voted on Five Political Status Referendums since developing a Territorial Government in the 1950s. This year, is the First Time to give Voters just Two Options, “Yes” and “No.”

- In 1967 and 1993, Voters were asked to Choose between Maintaining the Territory’s Current Status, Statehood, or Independence.

- In 1998, Voters were given Two Additional Options: Free Association and None of the Above.

- In 2012, the Political Status Referendum was a Two-part Measure. First, Voters were asked whether to Maintain the Territory’s Current Status. Since 54.3% voted “No,” Votes for a Second Question, which asked about Statehood, were Counted. Turnout Decreased 24.2% between the First and Second Questions, meaning about a Quarter of Voters who Voted on the First Question left the Second Question Blank.

In 2017, Puerto Rico Voted on a Referendum again, with the Statehood Option receiving 97.2% of the Vote. The Popular Democratic Party (PDP), which had the Second most Members in the Puerto Rico Legislature, Boycotted the Referendum. Turnout was 22.9%. Congress did Not Officially Respond to the Referendum Results.

In Puerto Rico, there are Three Political Parties with Elected Members in the Territorial Legislature:

- The New Progressive Party (NPP), which Controls both Chambers and the Governor’s Office, is Pro-Statehood.

- The Popular Democratic Party (PDP) is Associated with the Pro-Commonwealth Position, which supports Maintaining Puerto Rico’s Current Territorial Status with Changes.

- The Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) Supports Independence from the U.S.

Placing a Referendum on the General Election Ballot required the Vote of the Puerto Rico Legislature. Both Chambers Passed a Bill for the Referendum, with Support from NPP Members.

Members of PDP and PIP Opposed the Bill.

Gov. Wanda Vázquez Garced (NPP) Signed the Bill on May 16th.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker