Another Chance to Argue for Statehood | Florida Center for Investigative Reporting

November Vote Gives Puerto Ricans Another Chance to Argue for Statehood | Florida Center for Investigative Reporting:

Puerto Rican voters will determine this November the issue of whether this U.S. territory’s 4 million people want to become the 51st state, keep territorial status or become an independent country. (Photo by Molly J. Smith.)

Cronkite Borderlands Initiative
By Joe Henke
October 24, 2012
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Voters in Puerto Rico will not join their fellow American citizens in choosing a new president this November. Puerto Ricans are not allowed to vote in general presidential elections unless they become residents of a U.S. state.

Instead, the big item on ballots in Puerto Rico will be a referendum to decide the U.S. territory’s future. In simple terms, the issue is whether Puerto Rico’s 4 million people want to become the 51st state, keep territorial status or become an independent country.

More: Vote gives Puerto Ricans chance to argue for Statehood