Puerto Rico’s Limited Role in U.S. Presidential Elections

Puerto Rico, despite being a U.S. territory with its residents holding U.S. citizenship, does not have any electoral votes in U.S. presidential elections. This is because Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory and not a state, and therefore it does not participate in the Electoral College system that determines the president of the United States.

Although Puerto Ricans cannot vote in the U.S. presidential general elections, they do participate in the U.S. presidential primaries. In 2024, Puerto Rico held Democratic and Republican primaries, with Joe Biden winning the Democratic primary and Donald Trump securing the Republican primary.

In a historic move, Puerto Rico also conducted a non-binding presidential straw poll during the general election for the first time, allowing residents to express their preferences for U.S. president. However, this poll does not contribute to the electoral vote count.

The lack of electoral votes for Puerto Rico is a significant issue, as residents feel they receive unequal treatment in various federal programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare, despite their U.S. citizenship. The ongoing debate about Puerto Rico’s political status, including options for statehood, independence, or free association, remains a critical topic among voters.