Puerto Rico Primary Facts and Figures
The Puerto Rico Democratic primary is June 1, 2008; 55 delegates will be allocated based on the results. The Republican primary was held Feb. 24, 2008.
Presidential Primary Winners
Democrats
- 1988: Jesse Jackson
- 1992: Bill Clinton
- 1996: The Democratic primary scheduled for March 10, 1996, was not held as Bill Clinton was the only candidate who qualified for the ballot.
- 2000: In Puerto Rico, the Democratic Party opted to hold a caucus instead of a primary election but subsequently canceled the caucus. The nominees were known well before the scheduled date.
- 2004: Democrats planned to hold a caucus, but it was canceled. The nominees were known well before the scheduled date.
Republicans
- 1988: George H.W. Bush
- 1992: George H.W. Bush
- 1996: Bob Dole
- 2000: George W. Bush
- 2004: Republicans planned to hold a caucus, but it was canceled. The nominees were known well before the scheduled date.
3 Things You Didn't Know About Puerto Rico Primaries
1. Puerto Rico's Democrats were originally scheduled to caucus on June 1; only after the national committee approved the plan, it was discovered that an official document listed June 7, as a result of a typo, instead of the intended date, June 1.
2. The decision to hold a primary instead of a caucus was made in early March 2008 in an attempt to increase participation and to encourage the candidates to campaign in Puerto Rico. With a voter turnout rate of 81.4% in Puerto Rico's 2004 general election for governor among other islandwide positions, Puerto Rico has among the highest voter participation records in the world.
3. The U.S. Electoral College system does not allow residents of territories, including Puerto Rico, a self-governing commonwealth, to vote for president. While Puerto Rico has no Electoral College votes, political parties can authorize primaries to allow delegate representation at the parties' conventions.
Sources:
FEC
The Green Papers
Elections in Puerto RicoPuerto Rico Government
U.S. Electoral College
Reader Comments
Puerto Rico needs it's independence
I think 110 years of direct colonialism (1898-1951) and 50 plus of a pseudocolonial status called Associated Free State (1952- present) is enough. That is why Puerto Rico is being discussed at the United Nations today, that is why our governor speaks out against colonialism at the Decolonization Comittee at the UN.
I am puerto rican and i think my country , Puerto Rico, needs to stand in it's own two feet and become sovereign, either an Associated Republic like our present governor wants or a fully independent republic. Our economy cannot wait any longer. Plus, the US congress will never have a spanish speaking, latin american nation as a US state, much less with a strong national identity like Puerto Ricans do. They do not want to have a new Quebec or Tibet in their very own country.
Gracias Ms. Marrero
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are a reason as to why we should be the 51st State of the union. I am a proud american born in Puerto Rico just like you. I can not even compare my life experiences with yours and your husband. I am only 39 yrs. old and my life experience is just a dot in your essay of life. However, I know how to appreciate life and what is right. You are an example of what a true american is all about. I hope that I could experience as much as you have. Thank you and Thank you to your husband for his service to the United States, Puerto Rico, and the World.
Edwin
Statehood Status for Puerto Rico
I was born in Ponce,Puerto Rico a year after Puertoricans were awarded the citizenship status ( Jones Act of 1917)//
My parents migrated to the the mainland when I was 19months..My father was in the Merchant Marine (sailor aboard the Freighter 'Los Brazos'. The Port of Call was New York..He decided to make NY his Port of Call when his retired from the Merchant Marine..
To make a long story and a wonderful story short..I was married just before WWll..
My husband was deployed to the European Theater of War..
After the war my husband was assigned to Camp Zama in Tokyo. Our three childen and I participated in the People to People Program which Pres. Eisenhower started.
I taught in the Tamagawa Gakuen University teachin the students conversationa. Engish, Became an arduous student of Ikebana (the Oriental Art of Flower Arragement) etc.
My husband also born in P.R. was awarded the Bronze Star medal for bravery during his participation in the Italian part of WWll.
He was chosen and assigned as Presidential Aid to President Eisenhower during his Inaugural festivities.
I certainly feel that Puerto Rican residents should have the privilege to vote in the National Presidential race.. We should also be added to the 50 states already sharing the statehood status.
I feel as many Puerto Ricans who have lived, participated and backed this country that we sholud have that star added to the flag to represent the many contributions we have made to this great country.
Esther .L. Marrero..WWll Widow
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