Puerto Rico votes to become our 51st state

[Hober Mallow]

I'm suprised this isn't getting more news coverage.

Election Day is a holiday in the U.S. island territory and the streets were quiet Tuesday, except around polling stations. Puerto Rico does not get a vote in the U.S. presidential election.

But many are excited for a chance to vote 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 for the territory of 4 million people.
 
As of Wednesday morning, 54% voted to change the island’s status.  As to the second question, 61% want statehood, 33% are for sovereign free association, and about 5.5% are for independence.
 
Those results are with nearly 96% of polling stations reported.

http://myfox8.com/2012/11/08/puerto-rico-votes-to-become-americas-51st-state-in-non-binding-referendum/

The referendum is nonbinding, but this is the first time in its 114-year history as a U.S. territory Peurto Ricans have voted for statehood. Congress has never denied a petition for statehood. Will it happen? Should it happen?

[Rerun]

Hey, More tax dollars!   

[jbeany]

I kind of think it's long overdue!

[Hober Mallow]

Hey, More tax dollars!   

I'm not sure exactly what you mean. Puerto Ricans already pay most federal taxes.

[Simon Dog]

Should it happen?

If you are a democrat the answer is YES,  if a republican, NO.

It will be amusing to see each side offer arguments in congress and the senate with absolutely nobody being honest about the real issue being "Do we create two new senate seats, and some house seats, that are all but assured to go to the democrats?".

Acceptance by the other 50 states is about power, nothing else.

[lmunchkin]

I know of some very lovely Puerto Ricans that go to my church.  They are hard working individuals and I would trust them in all things. Don't know much about their country, but would not object to their joining our Union. Im sure they see this nation as the land of opportunity.  It still is, when compared to other country's.
But, I have seen the job opportunities declining over the years.  Hope & pray, we can bring those opportunities back for the future of our children & grandchildrens sake.

The Puerto Rican people are interested in the American Dream.  They want it so bad, and I hope they are allowed to pursue it. The ones that go to my church are citizens of the U.S. and live in Tenn.  But they go home every now & then to remember where they came from.

God Bless,
lmunchkin

[Hober Mallow]

I know of some very lovely Puerto Ricans that go to my church.  They are hard working individuals and I would trust them in all things. Don't know much about their country, but would not object to their joining our Union.

Their country is the United States. The national capital of Puerto Rico is Washington D.C. They're already a part of our union, they just don't have statehood.

The ones that go to my church are citizens of the U.S. and live in Tenn.

All Puerto Ricans are United States citizens. They have been since 1917.

[lmunchkin]

Well great then.  You cleared that up, cause Im surely not up to date with geography.  So if theyre citizens, I don't understand why they can't vote.  How long have they been trying to vote?  If its been since 1917, then its not just this congress but every congress since their conception.

Jesus Is Lord,
lmunchkin

[Hober Mallow]

So if theyre citizens, I don't understand why they can't vote.

Puerto Rico is subject to the the territorial clause of the Constitution's Article IV. Basically, they have limited power to vote and no Congressional or Senate representation because they're a U.S. territory and not a state, like Guam. As I understand it, they do send delegates to the Republican and Democratic nominating conventions, but the people can't vote in the national elections. Achieving statehood would allow the citizens of Puerto Rico to vote on the federal level.

[Simon Dog]

So if theyre citizens, I don't understand why they can't vote.

Puerto Rico is subject to the the territorial clause of the Constitution's Article IV. Basically, they have limited power to vote and no Congressional or Senate representation because they're a U.S. territory and not a state, like Guam. As I understand it, they do send delegates to the Republican and Democratic nominating conventions, but the people can't vote in the national elections. Achieving statehood would allow the citizens of Puerto Rico to vote on the federal level.

It would also guarantee two more democratic seats in the senate and at least one in the house.  The battle will be of noble sounding reasons supporting both positions, but the real fighting is going to be over the issue of an extra democratic edge in congress.