Key Takeaways:
– Puerto Rico held a significant election that could result in a historic win for either of the top two gubernatorial candidates.
– New parties are gaining voter attention amidst the island’s economic and political turmoil.
– Voting issues including power outages and malfunctioning machines caused long lines at polling stations.
– More than 220,000 early and absentee votes are yet to be counted, results could take days.
– A referendum on Puerto Rico’s political status also took place, along with a symbolic presidential vote.
Historic Election Launches New Era in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico recently held gubernatorial elections that were destined to be historic regardless of which top candidate secured the win. If Jenniffer González, representing the pro-statehood New Progressive Party, emerged victorious, it would secure the party’s third consecutive term for the first time. Conversely, victory by Juan Dalmau from Puerto Rico’s Independence Party and Citizen Victory Movement would signify the first win by a candidate outside the two primary dominating parties.
Coming third in the polls was Jesús Manuel Ortiz from the Popular Democratic Party and Javier Jiménez from Project Dignity. Despite the downpour, thousands of islanders waited in long lines to cast their votes.
Hope for a Political Change
For years, the New Progressive Party and the Popular Democratic Party have dominated the polls, amassing at least 90% of the votes. However, the political landscape began shifting in 2016 as newer parties attracted disillusioned voters. Given the existing economic and political turmoil, a newer generation is crying for change in the face of corruption, frequent power outages, and the absence of affordable housing. Education, health, and public safety concerns have also decorated the voters’ minds.
Deep Lines, Delayed Results
Voting day did not pass without hiccups — dysfunctioning voting machines, power outages, and other issues resulted in long queues at various polling stations. These issues may have contributed to some voters marking time, while others opted for distractions by indulging in snacks. Despite the delays, the high voter turnout signals an increased thirst for political change among the populace.
After the closure of the polls at 5 p.m. local time, those already in line were allowed to continue voting. In light of the compassionate conditions during voting hours, the final results may not be immediately available. In fact, it took four days to release the primary results in 2020.
Moreover, Puerto Rico’s State Elections Commission reports that over 220,000 early and absentee votes are yet to be counted. The process started more than two weeks later than is typical. Addressing the delays, the commission’s alternate president, Jessika Padilla, revealed that about 40% of the votes were counted as of Monday.
A Referendum and a Symbolic Vote
Besides choosing their preferred gubernatorial candidate, Puerto Ricans were also invited to express their preference on the island’s political status for the seventh time. Although these nonbinding referenda offer three options — statehood, independence, and independence with free association — the results are subject to approval by the U.S. Congress. Furthermore, Puerto Ricans got the chance to symbolically support either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump — showcasing the U.S. elections’ ripple effects across the territory.
In effect, this incredibly historic electoral process indicates a pivotal moment in Puerto Rico’s political scene. Despite the challenges experienced at the polling stations, the unprecedented turnout signals residents’ desire for a more inclusive, transparent, and efficient political system. Moving forward, elected officials must heed this call and work towards addressing the significant concerns of corruption, economic inequity, and a lack of basic amenities. Regardless of who ultimately secures victory, this election has undoubtedly carved its image as a significant chapter in Puerto Rico’s political narrative.