Puerto Rico Voted for Statehood, Now What?

Puerto Rico voters have once again voiced their support for statehood, marking the fourth time in recent years that a majority has chosen this path in a referendum. In Tuesday's vote, 56.82% backed statehood, 30.85% supported independence, and 12.33% chose free association with the United States, according to final tallies.

The pro-statehood momentum was further reinforced by the election of Jenniffer González-Colón, a Republican and vocal advocate for statehood, as governor. In fact, exit polls showed statehood receiving more votes than any gubernatorial candidate, making it the night's most significant mandate.

George Laws Garcia, Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Statehood Council (PRSC), said the vote as a powerful message from Puerto Ricans to Washington. "The U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico have made it loud and clear that they want full democracy, federal voting rights, and full equality through statehood for their future," he said. However, he added that "for the island's undemocratic and unequal territory status to end, Congress must now legislate", according to The Floridian.

Voter turnout reached 57%, with Laws Garcia stressing that this percentage represents a solid mandate for Congress to act. He called on lawmakers to pass legislation offering Puerto Rico a "definitive and binding choice" on ending its territorial status. Pointing to polls showing that 59% of Americans also favor Puerto Rico's statehood, he argued that it is now Congress's responsibility to "empower the 3.2 million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico" and uphold the U.S. principle of "government by consent of the governed."

Support for Puerto Rican statehood in Congress has gradually increased, with some lawmakers signaling they would back statehood if Puerto Ricans chose it through a vote, as they did this week.

Representative Carlos Gimenez, a Republican, has been among those endorsing the move if Puerto Rican voters indicated their support.

With the vote now concluded and Puerto Ricans clearly backing statehood, the focus shifts to Congress, where a soon-to-be Republican-controlled legislative body will face the decision on Puerto Rico's future status. The outcome of this legislative process will ultimately determine whether the island becomes the 51st state.