Courtesy of Mish
By an overwhelming margin, Puerto Ricans Vote for Statehood. But the vote is nonbinding, and only 23% bothered to vote.
According to early results on a government website, statehood drew 97% of support with more than 90% of votes counted Sunday afternoon, but less than one in four voters participated in the plebiscite as opponents called for a boycott. Polls closed at 3 p.m. Sunday.
The vote was spearheaded by the territory’s governor, Ricardo Rosselló, who has pushed for statehood as a way to help improve the island’s economy, which is weighed down by debts of more than $73 billion. In May, Mr. Rosselló declared what amounts to the largest-ever municipal bankruptcy in the U.S. that placed Puerto Rico under court protection.
Congress would need to authorize a new state. Mr. Rosselló recently signed into law a measure creating a commission to press U.S. lawmakers for admission. On Sunday evening, he said he would visit Washington, D.C. to formally notify Congress and the White House of the results.
“From today going forward, the federal government will no longer be able to ignore the voice of the majority of the American citizens in Puerto Rico,” Mr. Rosselló said.
Political Stunt
Puerto Rico is looking for a handout and Republicans would be crazy to give them one. Do the Republicans want or need two more Democratic senators?
I think not.
This was a political stunt and a waste of money Puerto Rico does not have.
Mike “Mish” Shedlock
