They are natural born citizens so do they vote?
2007-02-12 16:10:43 · 7 answers · asked by Heave 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Elections
No, not if they live in Puerto Rico; yes, if they live in the States; they have been citizens of the USA since the Jones Act of 1917 and served in each and every war and conflict since, including the present war, and in each and every branch of the Armed Services.
2007-02-12 16:13:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, lets begin by saying that the term "Puerto Rican" is misused here. The Jones Act of 1917 granted US Citizenship to all persons born in Puerto Rico. I am Puerto Rican and I have voted in presidential elections, however, I have done so as a resident of a US State. I could not do it while I lived on the island, but I could as soon as I moved to the states. It is not a matter of nationality, but of residence.
The correct way to say it is US Citizens (regardless of where they are born), who are residents of Puerto Rico may not vote in Presidential elections. A person born in Iowa, for example, who moved and established permanent resident in PR may not vote in Presidential elections.
The commonwealth of Puerto Rico does participate in presidential primaries and sends delegates to the DNC and RNC conventions.
Moreover, since PR is not a state, we do not elect senators and representatives to Congress and because of that, US Citizens who live in PR do not pay federal income taxes ("No taxation without representation").
This happens because of the way the Constitution is written, which specifically mentions that senators, representatives and electors would be chosen from the various STATES. This constitutional language does not recognize territories, and I suspect it is because when the Constitution was written in 1787, the Founders did not envision the US as an imperial country that owned colonies (Makes sense since they too lived in colonies that fought a war of to gain independence from Britain). This of course change a century ago when the US took over Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, the Philippines, the Panama Canal Zone and later American Samoa and the Northern Marianas.
Since then Alaska and Hawaii have joined the union, Cuba and the Philippines were granted independence and the Canal Zone was returned to Panama. The northern Marianas have signed a compact of free association with the US and PR, the USVI, Guam and American Samoa remain as de-facto colonies of the USA
Hope this helps.
2007-02-12 16:29:22 · answer #2 · answered by Humuhumunukunukuapuaa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer is no.
Citizens of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the N. Mariana Islands, and US Virgin Is. cannot vote for President since they are insular areas (a broad term for an area that is not a state or Washington DC). The US Constitution makes clear that only states can vote for President in Amendment 12:
"The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President..."
To overturn this, a constitutional amendment would have to be passed. As of this writing, a proposal for an amendment is before congress. Don't hold your breath waiting for passage.
2007-02-12 20:24:35 · answer #3 · answered by eparses 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. In Puerto Rico, they can't vote for any nationwide election. notwithstanding the adult males nonetheless residing in Puerto Rico, or who're right here (US), on the age of 18, ought to sign in for the nationwide draft.
2016-11-27 19:31:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Officially yes if they reside in the US. No if they reside on the island, and if a puerto rican girl is fine enuf it doesn't matter!
2007-02-12 17:17:59 · answer #5 · answered by GL Supreme 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, why ask such rediculous questions.
2007-02-19 16:50:03 · answer #6 · answered by shawnn 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yeh they do. just like they serve in the military
2007-02-12 16:13:02 · answer #7 · answered by Londal 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋