You've probably seen the maps every four years. Red states, blue states, and the occasional "swing state" that gets all the attention. But if you look closely at the Caribbean, there’s a big island with 3.2 million U.S. citizens that usually doesn't show up in those colorful electoral tallies.
So, does puerto rico have any electoral votes?
The short answer is a flat no. Zero. Zip. Despite being U.S. citizens since 1917, people living on the island cannot vote for the President of the United States in the general election. It sounds weird because they’re American, they have U.S. passports, and they use the U.S. dollar, but when it comes to the Electoral College, they’re basically on the outside looking in.
The Constitutional Glitch
Here is where it gets kinda technical but honestly fascinating. The U.S. Constitution, specifically Article II, says that the President is elected by "Electors" appointed by "the several States."
Puerto Rico is a territory, not a state.
Because of that one word—"state"—the island is locked out of the Electoral College system. It doesn’t matter that Puerto Rico has a larger population than nearly 20 other U.S. states like Wyoming, Vermont, or Alaska. If it were a state today, it would likely have about 6 electoral votes based on its population. But as it stands, it has none.
👉 See also: Jeff Pike Bandidos MC: What Really Happened to the Texas Biker Boss
This isn't just about Puerto Rico, either. It’s the same deal for Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. They all belong to the U.S., but they aren't "part" of the U.S. in the way the 50 states are. The Supreme Court actually hammered this home over a century ago in a series of rulings called the Insular Cases. They basically said the Constitution doesn't "follow the flag" to these territories automatically.
Can Puerto Ricans Vote at All?
This is where people get confused. You might hear about Puerto Ricans voting for the president and think, "Wait, I thought they couldn't?"
Well, they can vote in the primaries.
Every four years, the Democratic and Republican parties hold primary contests on the island. In April 2024, for example, Joe Biden and Donald Trump both picked up delegates from Puerto Rico. It’s a bit of a weird halfway house: you can help choose the nominee, but you can’t help choose the President in November.
Also, there’s the "moving" loophole. If a Puerto Rican moves to Orlando, New York City, or even a tiny town in Nebraska, they can register to vote in that state immediately. The moment they establish residency in one of the 50 states, they get the full right to vote for President.
✨ Don't miss: January 6th Explained: Why This Date Still Defines American Politics
On the flip side, if a lifelong resident of Texas moves to San Juan to retire, they lose their right to vote for President. It’s not about who you are; it’s about where your feet are planted on Election Day.
The Resident Commissioner and the "Non-Vote"
People often ask about representation in Congress, too. Puerto Rico doesn't have Senators. It doesn't have voting members in the House of Representatives. Instead, it sends one person called a Resident Commissioner.
Currently, that role is held by Jenniffer González-Colón (though she was recently elected Governor in the 2024 cycle, with Pablo Hernández Rivera set to take the Commissioner seat in 2025). The Commissioner can sit on committees and speak on the floor, but they can't vote on the final passage of laws.
Imagine being in a room where everyone is deciding how to spend your money and what rules you have to follow, but you're the only one who doesn't get a vote. That’s the reality of the island's political status.
Why Does This Still Happen?
There's a lot of debate about why this hasn't changed. Some people want statehood, which would automatically grant those electoral votes. Others want the island to be an independent nation. Some like the current "Commonwealth" status because of certain tax benefits.
🔗 Read more: Is there a bank holiday today? Why your local branch might be closed on January 12
In November 2024, Puerto Rico held another non-binding referendum. This happens fairly often. The results usually show a lean toward statehood, but the U.S. Congress is the only body that can actually make it happen. So far, Congress hasn't moved the needle.
There's also the 23rd Amendment to consider. That's the one that gave Washington, D.C. three electoral votes back in 1961. D.C. isn't a state, but they got an amendment passed to give them a voice in the Electoral College. Some advocates say Puerto Rico should get the same treatment, but passing a Constitutional Amendment is incredibly hard—it requires two-thirds of both houses of Congress and three-fourths of the states to agree.
Actionable Insights on Puerto Rican Voting Rights
If you're looking to understand how this impacts the actual political landscape, keep these points in mind:
- Registration depends on residency: If you are a Puerto Rican living on the mainland, you must register in your specific state of residence to participate in the general election.
- Primary participation: Island residents should look for party-specific announcements in the spring of election years to participate in delegate selection.
- Straw Polls: In 2024, Puerto Rico held a "symbolic" presidential vote alongside their local elections. While it showed who the island preferred (Kamala Harris won that straw poll with about 63%), it did not count toward the actual Electoral College total.
- Follow the Legislation: Keep an eye on the Puerto Rico Status Act. This is a bill that has been introduced in Congress to allow for a federally recognized, binding vote on the island's future status.
Ultimately, until the island's status changes through statehood or a Constitutional amendment, the answer to does puerto rico have any electoral votes will remain a "no." It’s one of the most unique and, to many, frustrating quirks of the American democratic system.
To stay informed on the island's path toward potential statehood or any changes to federal voting rights, you can track active bills through the official Congress.gov website by searching for "Puerto Rico Status."