Ballotpedia's Daily Brew: Puerto Rico to vote on statehood for sixth time

Puerto Rico to vote on statehood referendum at November general election

Puerto Rico will vote this November on whether to request that it be admitted as a state. The ballot measure will ask, "Should Puerto Rico be immediately admitted into the Union as a state?” If it were approved, Congress would ultimately decide if and how to respond.

Should the ballot measure be approved, the governor would appoint a seven-member commission to represent Puerto Rico in matters and negotiations related to achieving statehood. The commission would develop a transition plan, which the governor would approve or reject, and present the plan to Congress and the President.

According to the Puerto Rico Senate Bill 1467, which placed the referendum on the ballot, voting "No" on the referendum would mean that a seven-member commission would be appointed to negotiate with the federal government for the free association or independence of Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico has voted on five political status referendums since developing a territorial government in the 1950s. This year’s referendum is the first to give voters just two options—“Yes” and “No.”

In 1967 and 1993, voters were asked to choose between maintaining the territory’s current status, statehood, and independence.

In 1998, voters were given two additional options—free association and none of the above.

In 2012, the political status referendum was a two-part measure. First, voters were asked whether to maintain the territory’s current status. Since 54.3% voted “No,” votes for a second question, which asked about statehood, were counted. Turnout decreased 24.2% between the first and second questions, meaning about a quarter of voters who voted on the first question left the second question blank.

Puerto Rico voted on a referendum again in 2017, with the statehood option receiving 97.2% of the vote. The Popular Democratic Party (PDP), which had the second most members in the Puerto Rico Legislature, boycotted the referendum. Turnout was 22.9%. Congress did not officially respond to the referendum results.

In Puerto Rico, there are three political parties with elected members in the territorial Legislature. The New Progressive Party (NPP), which controls both chambers and the governor’s office, is pro-statehood. The Popular Democratic Party (PDP) is associated with the pro-commonwealth position, which supports maintaining Puerto Rico’s current territorial status with changes. The Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) supports independence from the U.S.

Placing a referendum on the general election ballot required the vote of the Puerto Rico Legislature. Both chambers passed a bill for the referendum, with support from NPP members. Members of PDP and PIP opposed the bill. Gov. Wanda Vázquez Garced (NPP) signed the bill on May 16.

So far, eighty statewide ballot measures in 31 states have been certified for the 2020 ballot. There were 167 statewide ballot measures in 2018 and 162 in 2016.

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Looking at the states reopening

Below is a selection of the states either reopening today or whose stay-at-home orders are expiring. A more complete listing can be found in Tuesday's edition of our Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter, or you can click here to check out our page on state reopening plans. Want to receive a daily summary tracking and analyzing state and local plans for recovery? Click here to subscribe to our daily Documenting America's Path to Recovery newsletter.

Delaware Gov. John Carney (D) announced that all retail businesses can reopen by appointment only beginning May 20. Businesses can accept two appointments per half hour and must enforce social distancing and cleaning guidelines. Carney also released updated guidelines, effective immediately, for houses of worship that encourage virtual services but allow for in-person services if limited to 30% occupancy and social distancing is followed. In-person services had previously been limited to 10 people.

Phase one of Connecticut’s reopening plan begins May 20, affecting offices, restaurants, retailers, museums, and zoos. Phase one was originally set to include hair salons and barbershops, but Gov. Ned Lamont (D) delayed those changes until early June on May 18. Also on May 18, Lamont signed an executive order extending the state of emergency through June 20 and expanding the authority of municipalities to enforce compliance with state orders. Under the order, many businesses are classified as "public health facilities," such as restaurants, clubs, and salons. The order authorizes the local health director to close these facilities until they comply with reopening regulations defined by the Department of Economic and Community Development. As part of the order, gatherings of more than five are prohibited, and off-track betting facilities, movie theaters, and gyms must remain closed through June 20.

Retail businesses in Kentucky can reopen at 33% capacity. Funeral and memorial services can also resume at 33% capacity.

RV camping at state parks in Nebraska where social distancing and group size limits can be maintained is permitted effective May 20.

The Capital Region (one of 10 regions in New York) met reopening criteria and is entering phase one of the state plan. The following businesses in the region can reopen: construction, manufacturing, and wholesale supply chains. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing activities can resume. Retail stores can open for curbside pickup. Western New York entered the first phase of New York's reopening plan on May 19. Also on May 19, Cuomo announced that the state will allow Memorial Day ceremonies with 10 people or fewer, at the discretion of local governments. In addition, Cuomo announced a two-week pilot program, coordinated by the Greater New York Hospital Association and the Healthcare Association of New York State, to test bringing visitors back to New York hospitals. Sixteen hospitals statewide will participate in the program, including nine New York City hospitals.

Here are some other notable coronavirus-related updates since Tuesday’s Brew:

On May 18, the Oregon Supreme Court stayed a lower court ruling that had overturned the state's stay-at-home order, pending further review by the state supreme court. Earlier in the day, Baker County Circuit Judge Matt Shirtcliff issued a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of the state’s stay-at-home order and other executive orders issued by Gov. Kate Brown (D) in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) announced that all registered voters in the August primary and November general election will receive mail-in ballot applications automatically.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a federal district court order reinstating the New York Democratic presidential preference primary. The primary will proceed as scheduled on June 23. The New York State Board of Elections had attempted to cancel the election, a move which was overturned earlier this month by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Eviction proceedings were allowed to resume in Texas on May 19, following a May 14 order from the Texas Supreme Court.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed H3411 into law. The bill is a continuing resolution that provides for the uninterrupted operation of state government into the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. The bill also grants the state legislature the sole authority to determine how to spend $1.9 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funding.

Filing deadline roundup

There are no statewide filing deadlines this week. So, I thought this would be a good time to step back and look at the status of filing deadlines in 2020. A few quick facts for you:

Thirty-eight states have had filing deadlines pass for primary candidates.

Of those states, Florida, Massachusetts, and Michigan have mixed filing deadlines, meaning there are separate deadlines for different kinds of candidates.
Both of Michigan’s filing deadlines have passed, while Florida and Michigan have each had one of two pass.

Of the 12 states whose filing deadlines haven’t passed yet, two are in May, eight are in June, and the remaining two—Delaware and Rhode Island—are in July.

So far, 2,879 major party candidates have filed to run for the Senate and House of Representatives this year. In 2018, 3,098 major party candidates filed for Congress.

So far, 7,709 major party candidates and third-party candidates running in a contested primary have filed to run for a state legislative seat this year.