SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico is holding elections that might be historic no matter which of the highest two gubernatorial candidates wins.
If Jenniffer González of the pro-statehood New Progressive Occasion wins Tuesday’s election, it’ll mark the primary time within the island’s historical past that the occasion secures three consecutive phrases.
If Juan Dalmau, who’s operating for Puerto Rico’s Independence Occasion and Citizen Victory Motion, wins, will probably be the primary win for a candidate exterior of the 2 predominant events which have dominated the island’s politics for many years.
Trailing González and Dalmau in polls is Jesús Manuel Ortiz of the In style Democratic Occasion, which helps the island’s territorial standing. Additionally operating is Javier Jiménez of Mission Dignity, a conservative occasion created in 2019.
Hundreds of voters throughout the U.S. territory stood in lengthy strains clutching umbrellas, undeterred by heavy rain.
“I really feel that for the primary time, there is a chance for change,” mentioned Jorge Hernández, a 24-year-old arts pupil as he waited to forged his vote. “The bipartisanship is dropping power. I’ve religion that there may be actual change.”
For many years, the New Progressive Occasion and the In style Democratic Occasion would obtain not less than 90% of all votes, however that started to alter in 2016. Newer events are attracting extra voters given Puerto Rico’s financial and political turmoil whereas a youthful era is decrying corruption, persistent energy outages and a scarcity of inexpensive housing, amongst different issues.
Schooling, well being and public security additionally have been on voters’ minds as they marveled on the lengthy strains regardless of the rain.
“I’ve by no means seen it like this,” mentioned Nadja Oquendo, a 62-year-old retiree.
Faviola Alcalá, a professional surfer, mentioned she was voting for the primary time and was thrilled to see the road at her polling station.
“I adore it,” she mentioned, including that she needs a break from Puerto Rico’s two predominant events and extra alternatives for younger folks.
Among the many voters who stepped out regardless of the rain was reggaetón celebrity Dangerous Bunny, who has derided the pro-statehood occasion and made a short look at Dalmau’s marketing campaign nearer.
“I belief that we the folks of Puerto Rico will make the precise choice for the way forward for our folks,” he advised reporters.
Lengthy strains have been reported at a number of polling stations given malfunctioning voting machines and different points, together with energy outages.
Some voters turned on their telephone’s timers to see how lengthy they stood in line whereas others munched on snacks as a avenue vendor cried out, “Chilly water! Chilly water!”
Ommy González, a 25-year-old bartender who was voting for the primary time, carried a fold-out chair and a water bottle.
“I am very excited,” he mentioned. “Clearly we wish one thing totally different for the folks.”
González mentioned he needs a stronger financial system and training system and denounced persistent political corruption: “Cease taking cash and misspending it.”
A number of voters mentioned they have been shocked at how shortly minority and new events have grow to be critical threats to the stronghold the 2 predominant events have had on Puerto Rico’s politics.
“I did not see this occurring so early on, however I am glad,” mentioned Giulianna Abreu, a 33-year-old publicist.
Lengthy strains continued after the official closing of polls at 5 p.m. native time Tuesday, and other people already in line have been allowed to vote. Outcomes may take days. In 2020, it took officers 4 days to launch preliminary outcomes.
Dalmau, nonetheless, mentioned he believed outcomes for the governorship could be prepared by late Tuesday.: “We’re hopeful that this nation will take a historic step.”
Puerto Rico’s State Elections Fee remains to be counting greater than 220,000 early and absentee votes, with counting beginning greater than two weeks later than standard. Jessika Padilla, the fee’s alternate president, mentioned some 40% of these votes had been counted as of Monday.
“This validation course of is one which we’re not going to take evenly,” she mentioned.
Greater than 5,000 inmates out of some 7,400 whole even have voted, though it’s unclear what number of of these votes have been counted.
Officers are also nonetheless receiving allegations about electoral crimes, together with from individuals who mentioned they acquired confirmations for early voting once they made no such request.
On Tuesday, voters additionally might be requested for a seventh time about Puerto Rico’s political standing. The nonbinding referendum presents three choices: statehood, independence and independence with free affiliation, beneath which points like overseas affairs, U.S. citizenship and use of the U.S. greenback could be negotiated.
“We will work to provide our folks equality,” mentioned Jenniffer González of the pro-statehood occasion.
Occasion officers have lengthy famous that regardless of being a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico receives unequal therapy relating to Medicaid, Medicare and different federal packages.
Whatever the referendum’s end result, a change in standing requires approval from the U.S. Congress.
Some voters on Monday mentioned that statehood is the one factor that can assist pull Puerto Rico out of its stoop.
As well as, Puerto Ricans on Tuesday can assist Kamala Harris or Donald Trump in a symbolic vote if they want. Whereas Puerto Ricans are U.S. residents, these on the island should not allowed to vote in U.S. presidential elections.
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