Puerto Rico statehood

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Puerto Rico Just Made a Big Change to Its Driver's Licenses

The territory is adding 'USA' to make citizenship clear, curb discrimination against residents

(Newser) - Puerto Rican driver's licenses are getting three new letters to help educate other Americans, who are overwhelming unaware of their citizenship. The New York Times reports that licenses will now have "USA" right up top, a move that aims to deter practices on the mainland that deny Puerto...

Puerto Rico Statehood Is Back on the Table

Democratic lawmakers introduce a new proposal

(Newser) - Two Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday announced they will be introducing legislation to make Puerto Rico a state. Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico and Rep. Darren Soto of Florida say the bill has around 50 co-sponsors, CBS News reports. It would set up a process for the US territory to...

Rhode Island Voters to Decide on State's Name

Ballot measures also cover flag, minimum wage

(Newser) - More than 120 ballot measures could transform state policy this election. In two of those cases, the topic is abortion. In Colorado, Proposition 115 seeks to block abortion after 22 weeks of pregnancy unless to save the life of the mother. That's the sole exception that would be provided,...

51st State? Puerto Rico Again Votes on Status

It's Election Day in the US territory, too

(Newser) - Voters across Puerto Rico on Tuesday are choosing new leaders they hope can help heal a US territory wracked by corruption, hurricanes, earthquakes, and the coronavirus pandemic, per the AP . Also on the ballot is the island's sixth referendum on whether to change its current territorial status. Voters will...

In Referendum, 97% Support Making Puerto Rico 51st State

But almost 80% didn't bother voting

(Newser) - Going by votes cast, statehood was the overwhelming winner in a referendum Puerto Rico held Sunday. But going by the actions of most Puerto Ricans, staying home or going to the beach was the runaway winner. The island, a US territory since 1898, held a non-binding referendum on statehood Sunday,...

Puerto Rico to Vote on Becoming 51st State

'Colonialism is not an option' in June referendum

(Newser) - Puerto Ricans are getting another shot at voting on statehood after the island's governor on Friday approved a non-binding referendum to determine the US territory's political future. The referendum will be held on June 11 and gives voters two options: statehood or independence/free association. If a majority chooses...

Bill Seeks to Make Puerto Rico 51st State by 2025

'We are treated as second-class American citizens': prominent pol

(Newser) - Puerto Rico's new rep to the US Congress filed a bill Wednesday that would turn the island into the 51st US state by 2025. The bill is the first step in a renewed quest for statehood that's to include a referendum letting Puerto Rico voters choose between independence...

Election Could Help Give America Its 51st State

Leading Puerto Rico candidate supports statehood

(Newser) - If Ricardo Rossello has things his way, this is going to be one of the last elections where there are a mere 50 American states voting. The New Progressive Party candidate has a big lead in the race to become the island's next governor, and he has come out...

Puerto Rico's Statehood Crusade Hits Congress

Puerto Rico delegate calls for yes-or-no vote in island

(Newser) - Could the US soon have a 51st state? If all goes to according to Pedro Pierluisi's plan, maybe. Pierluisi, who serves as Puerto Rico's non-voting representative in the House, filed a bill last week calling for a plebiscite on the matter, the Wall Street Journal reports. The federally...

61% of Puerto Ricans: Make Us 51st State

 Puerto Ricans Back 
 Statehood in Referendum 
election 2012
Nov 7, 2012 9:43 AM CST

Puerto Ricans Back Statehood in Referendum

But whether it will mean anything to Congress is still unclear

(Newser) - Could Puerto Rico become the 51st state? A nonbinding referendum held there yesterday suggests a majority of its people would choose that option, reports the AP . As CNN explains, citizens were first asked whether they'd like the territory to maintain its current relationship with the US; 54% voted in...

Santorum to Puerto Rico: No English, No Statehood

Federal law requires English to be principal language, he claims

(Newser) - Rick Santorum arrived in Puerto Rico yesterday looking presidential, wearing a suit instead of a sweater vest, and with a Secret Service entourage in tow—but it went wrong after he opened his mouth, reports the New York Times . Asked about the territory's hottest topic, a referendum on statehood...

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