Washington, D.C. – Today marks one-year since the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico once again voted for full equality and representation through statehood. The Puerto Rico Statehood Council (PRSC) reaffirms the historic significance and overwhelming mandate of Puerto Rico’s certified 2024 plebiscite results, where a clear majority chose statehood as the path toward permanent union and full democracy within the United States. Puerto Rican voters made their choice unmistakable: equal citizenship, federal voting rights and the dignity that comes with being fully represented in the federal government. It is time for Congress to honor that mandate.
“A year ago, Puerto Rican voters braved stormy weather and long lines once again to demand equality through statehood,” said George Laws Garcia, executive director of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council. “A year later, as Congress struggles to end a government shutdown and find common ground on national priorities, it is clearer than ever that Puerto Rico needs equal representation. The lives and well-being of our people depend on decisions made in Washington, and those decisions must no longer be made without our voice or vote.”
In the 2024 referendum, 58.61% of voters chose statehood, nearly a 30-point margin over the 29.57% who selected independence with free association. This combination of statehood, which provides dual-sovereignty as a state in the union, and free association (together about 88%) shows a clear desire to achieve sovereignty for the island while maintaining a strong relationship with the U.S. Independence received minimal support at 11.82% of the vote.
The 2024 vote marks the fourth time in just over a decade that Puerto Rico has democratically chosen statehood at the ballot box, following majority-statehood results in 2012, 2017 and 2020. The ballot language reflected the Puerto Rico Status Act, which passed the House in 2022 (H.R.8393) and was reintroduced in the House and Senate in 2024 (S.3231/H.R.2757). With certification of the vote complete, PRSC stresses the urgency for federal action.
While Congress has not yet introduced new status legislation this session, PRSC continues to engage in constructive bipartisan discussions on the island’s status and other federal policy issues affecting Puerto Rico. We remain confident that lawmakers will act to honor the clear and consistent will of the Puerto Rican people.
“Puerto Rico is doing its part to pave the path to full equality through statehood by engaging in local action. These efforts include passing a balanced budget, facilitating local tax reforms, improving competitiveness and attracting new investments. This shows that the island is strengthening its economy and increasing its capacity to contribute as a state. We’re also building our base of stateside supporters and will continue putting pressure on Congress to authorize a binding process that honors the will of Puerto Rico’s voters,” concluded Laws Garcia.