As the 5th of November approaches, attention is focused on the presidential election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. The date also sees elections for the US House of Representatives, the Senate, gubernatorial and state legislative seats, as well as several referendums.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the upcoming vote in Puerto Rico has not received much attention. But it deserves attention.
This fall, Puerto Ricans will vote not only for who will form their government, but what kind of government it will be. Puerto Ricans will be competing for seats in the island's governor, resident commissioner, senator, congressman and mayor, as well as a national referendum to choose between independence, U.S. statehood or a new form of self-government. The outcome will help determine what Puerto Rico will be like in relation to the United States, and what the United States will be like in relation to Puerto Rico: a colonial power or a leading democracy.
Many Americans have only a vague understanding of the current state of Puerto Rico. To many, the island remains a colony and is considered a “The world's oldest colonyPuerto Rico officially became part of New Spain in 1521, and in 1898 the rule of the Empire of Madrid was replaced by that of Washington.
Puerto Rico is generally considered a substate. Its residents cannot vote in presidential elections, cast ballots or send electors to the Electoral College, and its elected commissioners are limited to a non-voting role in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2016, due to financial difficulties, Supervisory Committee To revive the island's economy, the island once again They felt ignored because the federal government's response was limited. Due to the effects of Hurricane Maria.
However, Puerto Rico can also be considered to enjoy territorial autonomy, with a special self-governing government that caters to the needs of this minority. Puerto Rico has its own political parties, education and governance in Spanish, its own weights and measures, an independent National Guard, and membership in international organizations. Puerto Rico competes independently in the Olympics and other sporting events. Although Puerto Rico has the elements of a nation, it also has some advantages of belonging to the United States in terms of security and labor immigration.
Puerto Rican leaders called it a “The best of both worldsAlthough the degree of autonomy has declined since 2016, Puerto Rico remains an example of significant territorial autonomy, along with the Canadian province of Quebec, the British region of Scotland, and the Spanish region of Catalonia.
Within Puerto Rico, the island's political status defines a major political rift. The New Progressive Party (Partido Nuevo Progresista) is focused on Puerto Rico becoming a U.S. state, while the Popular Democratic Party (Partido Popular Democrático) prefers the current dominion system. A third party that supports independence has little electoral support. Those who want Puerto Rico to become a state position it in terms of voting rights and economic benefits. Critics worry that becoming the 51st state would dilute the island's unique identity and make it just another state in an English-speaking commonwealth.
The 2024 referendum will present three options: free association, statehood, or independence. As with any referendum, wording matters. Clearly, Puerto Ricans do not support independence right now. As opinion polls and past referendums have shown,It is also clear that Puerto Ricans are unhappy with the status quo, especially since 2016. The party that supports statehood has been embroiled in scandal and is seen as pushing the referendum to boost voter turnout and distract attention from its expected defeat in November.
Much will depend on whether “free association” is perceived by voters as a continuation of the status quo or as an enhanced and more meaningful form of self-governance. The details of what a revamped free association would mean are unclear. If the vote is successful, it will be negotiated later.But as voters in other boroughs have shown, Scotland in the UK or South Tyrol, ItalyIn general, greater autonomy is a more popular option than incorporation or independence.
This is the latest in a series of votes regarding Puerto Rico's political status. Non-binding 2020 referendum 52.52% of voters supported becoming a U.S. state, while 47.48% opposed. However, the Trump administration did not recognize the referendum, and Congress, which has the power to grant statehood, did not act on it. This year will be different. The Biden administration Supporting Puerto Rico's Ability to ChooseAnd if Democrats win the presidential and congressional elections, the U.S. government may finally listen to Puerto Rican voters.
This referendum is again non-binding, but by no means unimportant. A strong reaction in favor of redefining Puerto Rico, either as a US state or with enhanced powers as a special entity, will be important for Puerto Rico. The option of a new form of free association has the potential to overcome the old debate between statehood, the status quo, and independence.
This outcome also matters to the United States. Ignoring the referendum results would reinforce the impression that the United States is a colonial power that does not care about the island and its people. As Puerto Ricans speak out this fall, Congress should act to ensure Puerto Rico's status as a leading democracy, regardless of who becomes president in 2025.
Shane Barter He is a professor of comparative politics at Soka University of America, and his current book examines the various forms and contested nature of territorial autonomy.
