There are 50 American states and one Federal District, Washington DC, but following the recent elections in the USA there may be the potential for a 51st state, Puerto Rico. Although the focus of the US elections was on the contest for the White House, in the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico the focus was on a referendum, that asked its people to vote on the territory’s status within the United States.
Puerto Rico has been an US territory since the 1898 Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American War and saw the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico all ceded to the USA as part of the peace agreement. In 1917 Puerto Ricans were further integrated into the US political system when the island citizens were made citizens of the United States, confirming US authority over the territory, but also establishing the origins for the current day political debate, that citizens voted on, on November 6th.
Despite being considered US citizens and being allowed to carry US passports, the population of Puerto Rico have not been given the privilege of voting in Presidential elections. Instead they are allowed to vote for a Governor, who heads the regional government on the island, and for a Resident Commissioner, who represents Puerto Rico in the US Congress. Together these individuals determine both local politics within the island and national politics, through the Commissioner’s role on Congressional Committees, although, like Puerto Ricans themselves, is unable to vote on legislation within the House.
But these restrictions could all end when the future of Puerto Rico’s status within the US political system is once again assessed. Many times in the past the politicians and people of Puerto Rico have discussed the role of the island in the US political system, with some favouring the maintenance of its current status as a Commonwealth, some seeking statehood and even some who seek an independent agenda. However it was only in the November, 2012 vote that Puerto Rico established a clear majority not simply for a reassessment of the island’s status but also a majority support for statehood.
(Above: Puerto Rico’s location in the Caribbean)
But what would Puerto Rico as the 51st state look like?
In terms of population Puerto Rico ranks between the US states of Connecticut and Oklahoma and therefore if it was to become an US state it would have roughly 7 electoral votes in future elections. Although this would not make it a major swing state in US politics or a ‘king-maker’ like the states of Ohio or Florida, the state would still have a dramatic impact on US politics.
Its biggest impact would be demographically. It would be the only state in America where the main language of its citizens is not English, but rather Spanish. It would also be the fifth non-white, non-Protestant majority US state and therefore despite its relatively small size it could become critically important to future elections as a way to measure respective political parties appeal to Hispanic and minority voters.
Based on the most recent election results one could argue that the Democrats would be expected to achieve success in Puerto Rico due to the party’s appeal to minority voters, including the Hispanic population, who are becoming an increasingly powerful political force in US politics. The fact that the current Resident Commissioner, Pedro Pierluisi and the current Governor-elect, Alejandro Garcia Padilla, are both affiliated with the Democrat party offers further support to the idea that Puerto Rico could be a Democrat state.
Beyond demographics Puerto Rico offers a difficult challenge to the US administration due to its current economic position. Its GDP per capita is roughly 25% lower than other US states and in addition the island has been hit hard by the recent economic recession and therefore its economy has been further weakened. If it was to become a state the government would not only have to support economic growth plans that affect all US states, but put in extra initiatives to bring Puerto Rico in line with the economic conditions seen in mainland America.
When the motion for Puerto Rican statehood is put before President Obama, his administration will have a difficult decision to make. The President has stated that he would act upon the wishes of the Puerto Rican people and their inclusion to the union may further strengthen the Democrat position within America. However there are calls, both from within Puerto Rico and from the US administration to ignore the result, stating that it is not truly representative of the people’s wishes and that it is not the best course of action for either the United States of Puerto Rico.
The future is full of both challenges, but critically potential for Puerto Rican statehood. It would transform this Caribbean island, further evolving the concept of the United States and its inclusion would end political discourse over the concept of the ’51st State’.
A Little View of the World 
Seems to me to be a very important moment for the US and Obama in particular and I never knew all that about the politics of Puerto Rico, yet again you have shone a ‘little view’ very succinctly onto the politics of a part of the world that doesn’t often get a voice. Well done
Puerto Rico may strengthen the Democrats position but it won’t give them a majority in the house.
A very informative post.
No you are right, so I think in terms of mass electoral change Puerto Rico’s influence would be minimal. But it would indicate the position of both parties in one of the fastest growing key demographics in America and the could be important for the Democrats, who appear to have the upper hand at the moment with minority voters.