US denies Puerto Rico voting rights?

Answer 1

Puerto Rico is a fully functioning democracy that elects its own Governor and Legislature that handle virtually all internal matters.

The U.S. Constitution makes it clear that only states can have Senators, Representatives, or Electors for President of the United States. The Courts have ruled to this effect.

However, they do hold primaries that contribute to the nomination of Presidential candidates. Also, they elect a Resident Commissioner who serves in the U.S. House or Representatives to communicate the Commonwealth's needs to Congress. The Resident Commissioner can vote in committee, but not on the floor.

As has been pointed out by my colleagues, Puerto Rico can vote to become a state if it wishes, or it can vote to become an independent nation, or it can vote to maintain the status quo. In several plebiscites, they have chosen to preserve their current relationship with the United States. This gives them many benefits with few drawbacks (they pay no income taxes but get many Federal services from the U.S. government).

So, no. I would not say the U.S. is "denying" Puerto Rico voting rights. They have full control over their internal affairs and get far more benefits from their relationship with the U.S. than drawbacks. If they choose to modify their status, they can do so at any time.

Answer 2

US does not deny Puerto Rico voting rights because the country of Puerto Rico is NOT a state or an incorporated territory. Puerto Rico has it's own constitution and own government since 1952. Puerto Rico has a non permanent bilateral pact with the US (as a commonwealth ) that can change the present status to a permanent one if the people vote for it ( independent republic or other choices)

Answer 3

I am Puerto Rican but I live in So Cal. Puerto Ricans and the District of Columbia Washington DC are not able to vote in the presidential elections. Why the District of Columbia is not allowed is beyond comprehension now a days. But Puerto Rico is a territory not a state. They also do not have to pay Federal income Tax. The residents often vote in New York or in Florida by having a PO Box over there then they use an absentee ballot. They can vote in all the other elections including the primaries.
Not having to pay Federal income tax has it's advantage.

Answer 4

They deny PR from voting for the president, but they can vote for their governors etc. It's another colony under wraps of a Commonwealth. They do contribute with the taxes, since everything that ships to Puerto Rico has to be in american ships, they don't let any other products to enter through other mediums, they have an embargo. And all the stuff they buy is in dollars, so it goes all back to you. Anyway, voting in the States is totally useless, look at the president you got! TWICE!!!

Answer 5

For what, the Presidency? Only states are allowed by law the vote for the President. They don't pay federal taxes, either. Time after time, Puerto Ricans have been given the opportunity to become a state and time after time they choose not to, though an overwhelming majority don't want to be independent either. When asked, Puerto Ricans say they don't want to be a state because they don't want to have to pay federal income tax. So the U.S. is not "denying" Puerto Rico voting privileges simply because those in government don't want Puerto Ricans voting. Puerto Ricans, themselves, are choosing to remain a territory and not vote in federal elections. Who can blame them? Frankly, if I didn't have to pay federal income tax, I might be willing to give up the right to vote for the President.

Answer 6

that's resembling the undertaking with Washington DC which has been demanding statehood and vote casting rights for a while and representation in government (The Feds run a good style of issues in DC). even with the undeniable fact that it rather is as much as the Puerto Ricans to come back to a determination their own destiny, in the event that they connect or no longer, then the undertaking of vote casting rights could arise alongside with different exciting themes. issues that would get up by ability of turning right into a member of are here: you will pay TAXES TO the united states of a. (Sorry even with the undeniable fact that it must be made abundantly sparkling). vote casting=loss of your independence (ie: Puerto Rico has its very own Olympic group which they could lose in the event that they become area of the U. S. group) vote casting=Language changes: Puerto Rico has, by ability of regulation, decreed Spanish to be the expert language in all government information and transactions so starting to be a member of the States to take part in elections like quite a few different state could get rid of that provision and require all expert company to be carried out in English (Can of worms anybody?) vote casting=Slimy politicians coming on your island each and every 4 years to screw you of your rights besides. Heck no longer something greater hideous than a pasty white baby-kisser with a sunburn. So that's no longer purely a rely of having the U. S. to do greater for PR yet rather if the Puerto Ricans are keen to lose their independence to the U. S.. the closest answer (in case you prefer a greater advantageous term: "a answer in seek of a concern") could be popularity of PR and its human beings as a separate usa below US rules an identical way close by human beings (indians) are dealt with here. even with the undeniable fact that it rather is public wisdom how worse off indians are here interior the mainland even with being allowed to have casinos. So interior the tip it rather is a stalemate, imho you acquire a damn sturdy deal relish it.

Answer 7

The US is not denying PR voting rights, the people of PR are!
The people of Puerto Rico have had several chances to vote for statehood but each time it has failed. As soon as PR's people vote to become a state & they officially become a state, yes they will have full voting rights. Until then, they stay with the status quo.

Answer 8

THey also deny their right to contribute to our tax system.

Puerto Rico has the option to become a state. If they choose that, they will have voting rights,and they can help out with our nations bills a bit also.

Answer 9

I'm not a fan of cutting and pasting, but here you go.

" Puerto Rico is a self-governing commonwealth in association with the
United States. The chief of state is the President of the United States of
America. The head of government is an elected Governor. There are two
legislative chambers: the House of Representatives, 51 seats, and the
Senate, 27 seats.
Puerto Rico has authority over its internal affairs. United States
controls: interstate trade, foreign relations and commerce, customs
administration, control of air, land and sea, immigration and emigration,
nationality and citizenship, currency, maritime laws, military service,
military bases, army, navy and air force, declaration of war,
constitutionality of laws, jurisdictions and legal procedures, treaties,
radio and television--communications, agriculture, mining and minerals,
highways, postal system; Social Security, and other areas generally
controlled by the federal government in the United States. Puerto Rican
institutions control internal affairs unless U.S. law is involved, as in
matters of public health and pollution. The major differences between
Puerto Rico and the 50 states are its local taxation system and exemption
from Internal Revenue Code, its lack of voting representation in either
house of the U.S. Congress, the ineligibility of Puerto Ricans to vote in
presidential elections, and its lack of assignation of some revenues
reserved for the states.
Executive
The Executive Power is exercised by the Governor, who leads a cabinet
conformed by 15 ministers. The Governor is elected by statewide elections
every four years. The secretary of state succeeds the governor should the
latter resign, die, or be removed from office. The governor, with the
consent of the legislature, appoints the heads of the commonwealth's
executive departments.
Legislature
The Legislative Power resides in the Senate and in the Chamber of
Representatives. The Senate consists of 27 members, 2 per electoral
district, and 11 elected according to the different districts proportion
of population. Two extra seats are granted in each house to the opposition
if necessary to limit any party's control to two thirds.
The Chamber of Representatives consists of 53 members, one per electoral
district and 11 elected proportionally. Legislators are popularly elected
to four-year terms. The bicameral legislature determines how to spends the
island's tax revenue. Unless specifically stated, Puerto Rico is also
subject to all laws and most regulations of the U.S. government, which
sometimes cause jurisdictional problems. Most U.S. agencies are
represented on the island.
Judiciary
The Judicial System is directed by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is
formed by 7 judges (a chief justice and six associate justices) named by
the Governor. The structure of the Judicial System includes a Court of
Appeals, Superior Court, a District Court (civil & criminal), and
Municipal Court. There are 12 judicial districts.
The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico also has a district court comparable to
those of the states of US. Each district court has at least one district
judge and can have more than a score of district judges, as well as a
clerk, a United States Attorney, a United States Marshall, one or more
United States Magistrates, bankruptcy judges, probation officers, court
reporters, and their staffs.

The federal government, located in San Juan, is represented by 2 district
judges and the procurator, who is named by the President of the United
States. The Federal Court has final authority of the ELA.
Local Government
Puerto Rico is not divided into counties but has 78 "municipios"
(municipalities). Each is governed by a popularly elected mayor and
municipal assembly. The mayor appoints a secretary-auditor and a
treasurer.

Puerto Rico has one resident commissioner (with voice, but no vote) in the
Congress of United States. There are no electoral votes for Puerto Rico in
the U.S. presidential elections. .
The major political parties are: Popular Democratic Party (PPD)
787-725-1992, which supports an enhanced commonwealth status. The New
Progressive Party (PNP) 787-721-1992, which supports full U.S. statehood
for the island. And the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) 787-782-1455
which supports the independence from the US. "

Answer 10

Well, the Puerto Ricans voted to reject statehood, reject independence, and continue being a territory. That hasn't been that long ago. I believe they also have representation in Congress.