Juan Jose Nolla-Acosta

Puerto Rico's Plebiscites Juan Jose Nolla-Acosta

This book is a compilation of the results of all the plebiscites on Statehood held by Puerto Rico in 1967, 1993, 1998 and 2012. Puerto Rico has been a US territory since 1898, and Puerto Ricans are American citizens since 1917. Because of the current territorial status, American citizens of Puerto Rico don't have voting representation in Congress and can't participate in the election of the President of the US. In 2012, after three failed plebiscites, the people of Puerto Rico gave a clear message to change their current status and seek admission as the 51st state. The plebiscite contained two questions. The 1st question asked voters to decide if they wanted to keep the current territorial status. 54%% voted against the current status. The 2nd question asked voters to choose a non territorial option between Statehood, Independence and Free Association. 61%% voted for Statehood. Now is the time for Congress to act, and approve enabling legislation to make Puerto Rico state 51 of the USA.