So, you probably saw the headlines about Puerto Rico voting on its status again. It feels like a recurring theme, right? Like that one friend who keeps asking for advice but never actually changes their situation. But honestly, the Puerto Rico referendum 2024 was different. It wasn't just another symbolic "yes or no" to statehood. This time, the ballot felt final—or at least, it was designed to feel that way by excluding the current "commonwealth" status for the first time in history.
If you’re looking for a simple answer on who won, it’s statehood. Again. But the numbers tell a much more tangled story than a simple victory lap.
The Results That Shook the Island
When the dust settled after the November 5, 2024, election, the Puerto Rico State Commission on Elections (CEE) had some pretty clear figures, though they had to fix a massive technical glitch first. Dominion voting machines initially swapped the numbers for "Independence" and "Free Association." Kind of a big deal, right? Once they straightened that out, here is how the 1.2 million voters actually split:
- Statehood: 58.61% (620,782 votes)
- Sovereignty in Free Association: 29.57% (313,259 votes)
- Independence: 11.82% (125,171 votes)
Wait, did you catch that? Statehood didn't just win; it dominated the other two options. But there’s a catch. About 181,200 people left their ballots blank. That’s roughly 14% of the people who showed up to the polls. Why? Because the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) and other groups told their supporters to boycott the vote. They were furious that the "status quo"—staying a U.S. territory—wasn't an option.
Why the 2024 Vote Was a Total Game Changer
For decades, these referendums included a "keep things as they are" option. In 2024, the government decided that since the current territorial status is "colonial" and "non-dignified," it shouldn't be an alternative. Basically, they forced a choice between three paths to decolonization.
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Jenniffer González-Colón, the new Governor-elect and a staunch Republican, campaigned heavily on this. She basically told voters that a blank vote was a "wasted vote." And she won her own race with about 39% of the vote, becoming the second woman to lead the island. It’s a bit of a weird split, though. While she won the governorship, the guy who's going to be her "voice" in D.C.—the Resident Commissioner—is Pablo José Hernández Rivera. He’s from the rival PDP party.
Imagine trying to get statehood through Congress when your two top officials are from opposite parties with totally different views on what the island should be. It's a recipe for a headache.
What is "Free Association" anyway?
People keep asking this. It’s basically "Independence Lite." You’d be a sovereign nation, but you’d have a contract (a Compact) with the U.S. for things like defense and maybe some financial aid. Think of places like Palau or the Marshall Islands. The big downside that scared people? U.S. citizenship wouldn't be guaranteed for future generations born on the island. That’s a dealbreaker for a lot of folks who have family in Florida or New York.
The Congress Problem (The Elephant in the Room)
Here is the cold, hard truth: this referendum was non-binding. That means the U.S. Congress can look at these results, say "Cool story," and go back to lunch.
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Under the Territory Clause of the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the "plenary power" to do whatever it wants with Puerto Rico. Even though the Puerto Rico Status Act (H.R. 2757) has been floating around D.C. with a fair bit of bipartisan support, it hasn't crossed the finish line.
Critics like Juan Dalmau, who ran for governor under a pro-independence alliance and pulled a shocking 32% of the vote, argue that these referendums are just expensive polls. He’s not entirely wrong. Since 2012, Puerto Ricans have voted for statehood four times. And yet, there are still only 50 stars on that flag.
Why This Time Might Actually Be Different
You might think, "Okay, so nothing changes." But the 2024 cycle showed a massive shift in Puerto Rican politics. The old two-party system is basically dead.
For the first time, a pro-independence candidate (Dalmau) came in second for governor, beating out the traditional "commonwealth" party. This signals that people are tired of the "maybe" status. They want a final answer. Whether that answer is statehood or something else, the middle ground is disappearing.
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- Statehood support is consistent. Getting nearly 60% in a three-way race is a strong mandate.
- Independence is growing. Jumping from the usual 3-5% to nearly 12% (and 32% in the governor's race) is a massive leap.
- The U.S. is watching. With the 2024 U.S. Presidential election also happening, the "Puerto Rico question" got more airtime than usual, especially after some choice words about the island at a high-profile rally in New York.
Real-World Action Steps
If you care about where the Puerto Rico referendum 2024 actually leads, don't just wait for the next news cycle. The "ball" is now in Washington's court.
Call your representatives. If you live in the states, your voice actually counts more than a voter in San Juan when it comes to federal law. Ask them where they stand on the Puerto Rico Status Act.
Follow the Resident Commissioner. Keep an eye on Pablo José Hernández Rivera. He’s the one who has to navigate the halls of Congress. If he and Governor González-Colón can't find a unified message, statehood will stay stuck in the mud.
Watch the "Shadow Senators." Puerto Rico often sends "shadow" representatives to D.C. to lobby for statehood. Their success (or lack thereof) in 2025 and 2026 will tell you if the 2024 vote had any real teeth.
The status of 3.2 million American citizens isn't just a "territory" problem—it's a democracy problem. And after 126 years as a U.S. possession, the island has made its loudest move yet. Now we wait to see if D.C. actually picks up the phone.