Can Puerto Rico legally become a state?

According to Ponsa-Kraus, the legal process to admit Puerto Rico into statehood would require just a few steps: the territory adopts a constitution in preparation for statehood, Congress approves it (and may impose some additional conditions on the state to ensure it’s in harmony with the larger federalist structure of …

When was the last time Puerto Rico voted to become a state?

A referendum on the political status of Puerto Rico was held in Puerto Rico on June 11, 2017. The referendum had three options: becoming a state of the United States, independence/free association, or maintaining the current territorial status.

What would it take to get Puerto Rico into the US?

Republican and Democrat support would be needed for that to occur. Then, once approved and signed by the president, it would go out to all 50 state governments and 38 of the states would have to do give the final approval to entrance of Puerto Rico or any other state. It’s daunting. It’s a long process.

Is Puerto Rico most likely to become a state?

Indeed, of the 16 current U.S. territories, Puerto Rico is most likely to become a state. Located approximately one thousand miles southeast of the contiguous U.S., the island of Puerto Rico is home to about 3.7 million Americans.

Do Puerto Ricans support statehood or territorial status?

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., recently said that Puerto Rico’s debate over statehood demonstrates that Puerto Ricans are divided on issues surrounding their territorial status. Most Puerto Ricans favor statehood or its current territorial status.

Does Puerto Rico have a referendum?

Puerto Rico has held a few other referendums in recent years. In a 2017 plebiscite, 97 percent of those who voted favored statehood but opposition parties boycotted the vote, resulting in a record low turnout of 23 percent.