1998 Puerto Rican status referendum

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1998 Puerto Rican status referendum
Flag of Puerto Rico.svg
13 December 1998
We, the People, in the searches of the power vested upon us by the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, do hereby firmly petition the Congress of the United States, that with all deliberate haste, and after one hundred years of political subordination, the political condition of the People of Puerto Rico and the scope of the sovereignty of the United States of America be defined in an unequivocal manner in order to resolve the present territorial problem of the island under the following options:
Results
Statehood
46.6%
Independence
2.6%
Free association
0.3%
Territorial commonwealth
0.1%
None of the above
50.5%

Puerto Rican status referendum, 1998 results by municipality.png
Results by municipality

A referendum on the political status of Puerto Rico was held on December 13, 1998, [1] five years after an inconclusive result in a 1993 status referendum.

Contents

Five alternatives were listed on the ballot: limited self-government, free association, statehood, sovereignty and none of the above. Disputes arose as to the definition of each of the ballot alternatives; and commonwealth advocates, among others, urged voters to vote for "none of the above", asserting that the commonwealth definition on the ballot "failed to recognize both the constitutional protections afforded to our U.S. citizenship and the fact that the relationship is based upon the mutual consent of Puerto Rico and the United States."

A slim majority of voters (50.5%) voted for the none of the above option. [2]

Definition of status options

The resulting political climate after the 1998 plebiscite reflected the need for proper definitions of status options.

In its June 2011, Political Status of Puerto Rico: Options for Congress report, the Congressional Research Service states that the "definitions or, more specifically, the lack of definitions of the political status options for Puerto Rico, compound the complexity of the debate." [3] The report stated that constitutional implications of three status options ("new commonwealth," statehood, and independence) were reviewed by the Department of Justice in response to a congressional request. The history of debate, particularly the 1998 plebiscite, indicates that in the absence of constitutionally valid status options and definitions acceptable to Congress, the debate over status yields few or no conclusive results. The brief summaries of the options analysis on pages 26 and 27 of the report follow:

Commonwealth
The commonwealth option represents a continuation of the current status of Puerto Rico. The territorial clause of the United States Constitution empowers Congress with the authority to regulate territories. Commonwealth status for Puerto Rico is based on statutory provisions and the Constitution of Puerto Rico that established a republican form of self-government. (Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act, P.L. 81-600, 64 Stat. 319). Under current federal law, residents of Puerto Rico enjoy U.S. citizenship, but many contend that the Puerto Rican identity reflects a degree of autonomy that enables the island to remain somewhat separate from, but part of, the United States. On the 1992, "Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies" of President George H.W. Bush, it described the relationship of the Commonwealth to the United States with regard to the administration of federal programs, as follows: "Because Puerto Rico's degree of constitutional self-government, population, and size set it apart from other areas also subject to federal jurisdiction under Article IV, section 3, clause 2 of the Constitution, I hereby direct all federal departments, agencies, and officials, to the extent consistent with the Constitution and the laws of the United States, hence-forward to treat Puerto Rico administratively as if it were a state, except insofar as doing so with respect to an existing federal program or activity would increase or decrease federal receipts or expenditures, or would seriously disrupt the operation of such program or activity." Some support an enhanced or "new" commonwealth status and seek changes in the current relationship to increase the autonomy of Puerto Rico. Aspects of enhanced commonwealth considered but rejected by Congress in 1991 and 2001 included providing the government of Puerto Rico authority to certify that certain federal laws would not be applicable to the commonwealth, mandating that the President consult with the governor on appointments to federal offices in Puerto Rico that require Senate approval, recognizing a permanent relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States that cannot be unilaterally changed, and establishing economic relationships with other nations. Concepts associated with enhanced or new commonwealth have not been published in 2005, but the former governor has reportedly sought additional sovereign authority that would enable Puerto Rico's government officials to negotiate international agreements and establish new intergovernmental fiscal relations with the federal government. The Department of Justice (Raben Letter) found that certain aspects of a "New Commonwealth" proposal described in PDP platform documents could be, or are: "constitutionally unenforceable" or flawed (mutual consent provisions and delegation of powers), of uncertain legality (statutory citizenship, and international agreements), and possibly subject to constitutional limits (Resident Commissioner authority). [3]
Free association
This option would establish Puerto Rico as a sovereign nation separate from, but legally bound (on a terminable basis) to, the United States. As a general practice, free association would be preceded by recognition that Puerto Rico is a self-governing sovereign nation not part of the United States, because compacts of free association are legal documents between sovereign nations. Free association could be accompanied by a transition period in which the United States would continue to administer certain services and provide assistance to the island for a period of time specified in the compact. Free association could be annulled at any time by either nation. Negotiations over free association would likely decide issues of trade, defense, currency, and economic aid. [3]
Independence
Some advocates of independence contend that the cultural identity of Puerto Ricans, and other factors, justify independence. As residents of a sovereign independent nation, Puerto Ricans could develop closer ties to Caribbean nations, but would likely be forced to choose between citizenship in the United States or in Puerto Rico. The current unrestricted travel between the United States and the island might end, as would federal benefits (unless specified in the enabling legislation). Puerto Rico would, as a sovereign nation, develop its own economy, form of government, and complete national identity. [3]
Statehood
Advocates of statehood contend that the full rights and responsibilities of citizenship should be granted to residents of Puerto Rico. Political stability, particularly as an economic development tool, is seen by some to be one significant advantage of statehood. As residents of a state, Puerto Ricans would be entitled to full representation in Congress, would be subject to income taxes, and would be eligible to receive federal assistance like that provided to all of the states. Opponents argue that statehood would result in a loss of national identity. [3]

Results

ChoiceVotes%
Statehood728,15746.63
Independence39,8382.55
Free association4,5360.29
Territorial Commonwealth9930.06
None of the above787,90050.46
Total1,561,424100.00
Valid votes1,561,42499.69
Invalid/blank votes4,8460.31
Total votes1,566,270100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,197,82471.26
Source: Nohlen

By municipality

Results of the 1998 Puerto Rican status referendum by municipality
Municipality None of the aboveStatehoodIndependenceFree AssociationTerritorial commonwealthNullBlankTotal
Votes%Votes%Votes%Votes%Votes%Votes%Votes%
Loíza 3,95041.65,28655.72152.3160.280.1120.1110.19,498
Moca 7,995449,79453.92911.6350.2110.1310.2260.118,183
Maricao 1,53144.81,80152.7541.660.230.1110.3100.33,416
Villalba 4,97345.75,66052.11691.6190.230140.1330.310,871
Aguadilla 12,16745.713,78751.85091.9520.2220.1530.2240.126,614
Guaynabo 18,33244.920,93551.31,1902.92040.5400.1690.2320.140,802
Las Piedras 6,79246.77,45251.22261.6270.270290.2150.114,548
Adjuntas 4,247474,57250.61481.6210.280.1150.2270.39,038
Manatí 8,78346.49,59050.64352.3610.3120.1320.2240.118,937
Florida 2,45845.52,73250.51863.4150.32090.260.15,408
Ciales 4,58047.74,82050.21461.5120.120130.1210.29,594
Río Grande 8,546479,100504092.2550.3160.1430.2220.118,191
Bayamón 43,9124746,43549.72,4882.73200.3560.11740.2800.193,465
Camuy 8,19048.28,44249.72541.5340.290.1300.2320.216,991
Fajardo 6,66047.27,01549.73442.4340.2190.1320.2150.114,119
San Lorenzo 8,06747.78,40549.73131.9390.2110.1360.2260.216,897
Cidra 7,76245.88,37749.56874.1500.380360.2170.116,937
Jayuya 3,96147.74,10449.51812.2160.250.1180.2140.28,299
Juncos 6,55547.96,76949.52712200.1100.1270.2190.113,671
Arroyo 4,058474,26149.32663.1140.260.1200.2110.18,636
Arecibo 21,02448.121,52849.29152.1960.2200830.2590.143,725
Utuado 7,68848.77,75749.22481.6250.270340.2210.115,780
Corozal 8,50148.88,53348.93081.8240.180300.2290.217,433
Cataño 6,05248.26,12448.73032.4430.370.1240.2140.112,567
Orocovis 5,91749.45,82648.61671.4110.160.1350.3190.211,981
Aguada 9,044498,88548.13832.1480.390350.2490.318,453
Aguas Buenas 5,98947.66,037484913.9300.220170.1150.112,581
Quebradillas 6,09549.35,934482732.2290.230230.2110.112,368
Añasco 6,63250.26,33447.91861.4280.230190.1170.113,219
Lares 7,28249.47,03347.73592.4350.240200.1140.114,747
Maunabo 2,83848.32,80547.71973.490.260.1100.2100.25,875
Ceiba 2,78249.92,64747.51071.9150.350.1100.2100.25,576
Comerío 5,09949.74,86947.52492.4140.120120.1100.110,255
Juana Díaz 9,73750.49,12547.33211.7380.230450.2330.219,302
Toa Alta 10,35349.89,79447.25112.5550.370410.2110.120,772
Toa Baja 17,32449.516,49647.19582.7990.3240.1740.2290.135,004
Hatillo 8,88850.78,22046.93261.9420.290.1200.1190.117,524
Peñuelas 5,31448.55,13946.94293.9280.380.1190.2230.210,960
Barranquitas 6,93850.66,40446.72982.2170.170.1240.2120.113,700
Carolina 36,5655034,15146.71,8702.62530.3430.11150.2610.173,058
Luquillo 4,02950.73,69946.61582330.420120.290.17,942
Patillas 4,706504,38346.62522.7220.270.1180.2200.29,408
San Juan 82,42749.477,53746.55,4903.38710.51350.13090.21350.1166,904
Gurabo 7,05150.66,46046.43342.4390.390.1270.290.113,929
Isabela 10,87151.29,84446.43881.8420.250370.2330.221,220
Guayama 8,29050.57,551464422.7380.2110.1480.3230.116,403
Yabucoa 9,45151.58,435463531.9320.2160.1390.2250.118,351
Naguabo 5,50051.64,87845.82082190.240280.3130.110,650
Ponce 34,69050.831,26445.81,8302.72040.3520.11390.2870.168,266
Coamo 8,34452.77,17845.32391.5210.1110.1240.2200.115,837
Las Marías 2,80552.42,41145.1105260.11080.1120.25,348
San Germán 8,605527,43244.93752.3630.4170.1380.2270.216,557
Guánica 4,659524,00544.72502.8220.270.1130.190.18,965
Morovis 7,23753.56,03644.62041.5170.130180.1230.213,538
Caguas 30,38852.325,582441,7873.11900.3400.11160.2460.158,149
Trujillo Alto 14,11251.911,973449013.31150.4180.1450.2210.127,185
Barceloneta 5,55254.14,50143.91511.5120.130240.2110.110,254
Canóvanas 8,40553.16,94543.93522.2450.390.1470.3150.115,818
San Sebastián 11,33552.29,49943.77483.4590.3120.1430.2320.121,728
Vega Alta 8,54853.56,97543.63622.3420.380.1380.2190.115,992
Vega Baja 13,5595410,801436252.5470.2120500.2230.125,117
Yauco 9,94753.77,87942.65563490.3180.1270.1340.218,510
Mayagüez 22,61153.917,84742.51,1912.81410.3270.1960.2490.141,962
Santa Isabel 4,78654.93,70242.51702210.250.160.1210.28,711
Rincón 4,09355.93,08242.1971.3110.240.1210.3150.27,323
Cayey 11,22854.28,706426293630.3210.1290.1340.220,710
Hormigueros 4,40754.23,40841.92683.3190.270.1120.1160.28,137
Lajas 6,45056.14,75041.32382.1240.290.1150.1180.211,504
Cabo Rojo 10,25253.97,83941.27964.2620.3100.1480.3230.119,030
Humacao 13,18456.19,57740.85672.4730.3230.1410.2260.123,491
Guayanilla 5,41155.33,93440.23783.9160.230240.2240.29,790
Vieques 2,20756.21,58040.21102.870.220.1120.3120.33,930
Salinas 6,72657.24,69339.92592.2280.250170.1260.211,754
Dorado 8,54757.25,88739.44262.9270.2130.1340.2100.114,944
Culebra 4925733638.9283.20040.510.120.2863
Naranjito 8,92459.45,74938.32982180.180.1190.1120.115,028
Sabana Grande 7,25760.54,42536.92382270.280.1190.2150.111,989
Aibonito 7,23360.14,39636.53542.9220.230200.2100.112,038
Total787,90050.3728,15746.539,8382.54,5360.39930.12,9560.21,8900.11,566,270

References

  1. Nohlen, Dieter (2005). Elections in the Americas: A Data Handbook. Vol. I. OUP Oxford. p. 552. ISBN   978-0-19-928357-6.
  2. Political Status of Puerto Rico: Options for Congress. page 19.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Political Status of Puerto Rico: Options for Congress" (PDF). Congressional Research Service. June 7, 2011. pp. 26–27. Retrieved August 14, 2011.