A referendum on the political status of Puerto Rico was held on December 13, 1998. [1] Voters were given the choice between statehood, independence, free association, being a territorial commonwealth, or none of the given options. A majority voted for the latter, with a turnout of 71.3%. [2]
Five alternatives were listed on the ballot: "limited self-government"; "free association"; "statehood"; "sovereignty"; and "none of the above." Disputes arose as to the definition of each of the ballot alternatives; and commonwealth advocates, among others, reportedly urged a vote for "none of the above." They asserted that the commonwealth definition on the ballot "failed to recognize both the constitutional protections afforded to our U.S. citizenship and the fact that the relationship is based upon the mutual consent of Puerto Rico and the United States." In the end, a slim majority of voters in that plebiscite selected "none of the above" (50.3%). [3]
The resulting political climate after the 1998 plebiscite reflected the need for proper definitions of status options.
In its June 2011, Political Status of Puerto Rico: Options for Congress report, the Congressional Research Service states that the "definitions or, more specifically, the lack of definitions of the political status options for Puerto Rico, compound the complexity of the debate." [4] The report stated that constitutional implications of three status options ("new commonwealth," statehood, and independence) were reviewed by the Department of Justice in response to a congressional request. The history of debate, particularly the 1998 plebiscite, indicates that in the absence of constitutionally valid status options and definitions acceptable to Congress, the debate over status yields few or no conclusive results. The brief summaries of the options analysis on pages 26 and 27 of the report follow:
Choice | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|
Statehood | 728,157 | 46.63 | |
Independence | 39,838 | 2.55 | |
Free association | 4,536 | 0.29 | |
Territorial Commonwealth | 993 | 0.06 | |
None of the above | 787,900 | 50.46 | |
Total | 1,561,424 | 100.00 | |
Valid votes | 1,561,424 | 99.69 | |
Invalid/blank votes | 4,846 | 0.31 | |
Total votes | 1,566,270 | 100.00 | |
Registered voters/turnout | 2,197,824 | 71.26 | |
Source: Nohlen |
Municipality | None of the above | Statehood | Independence | Free Association | Territorial commonwealth | Null | Blank | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | Votes | % | ||
Loíza | 3,950 | 41.6 | 5,286 | 55.7 | 215 | 2.3 | 16 | 0.2 | 8 | 0.1 | 12 | 0.1 | 11 | 0.1 | 9,498 |
Moca | 7,995 | 44 | 9,794 | 53.9 | 291 | 1.6 | 35 | 0.2 | 11 | 0.1 | 31 | 0.2 | 26 | 0.1 | 18,183 |
Maricao | 1,531 | 44.8 | 1,801 | 52.7 | 54 | 1.6 | 6 | 0.2 | 3 | 0.1 | 11 | 0.3 | 10 | 0.3 | 3,416 |
Villalba | 4,973 | 45.7 | 5,660 | 52.1 | 169 | 1.6 | 19 | 0.2 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 0.1 | 33 | 0.3 | 10,871 |
Aguadilla | 12,167 | 45.7 | 13,787 | 51.8 | 509 | 1.9 | 52 | 0.2 | 22 | 0.1 | 53 | 0.2 | 24 | 0.1 | 26,614 |
Guaynabo | 18,332 | 44.9 | 20,935 | 51.3 | 1,190 | 2.9 | 204 | 0.5 | 40 | 0.1 | 69 | 0.2 | 32 | 0.1 | 40,802 |
Las Piedras | 6,792 | 46.7 | 7,452 | 51.2 | 226 | 1.6 | 27 | 0.2 | 7 | 0 | 29 | 0.2 | 15 | 0.1 | 14,548 |
Adjuntas | 4,247 | 47 | 4,572 | 50.6 | 148 | 1.6 | 21 | 0.2 | 8 | 0.1 | 15 | 0.2 | 27 | 0.3 | 9,038 |
Manatí | 8,783 | 46.4 | 9,590 | 50.6 | 435 | 2.3 | 61 | 0.3 | 12 | 0.1 | 32 | 0.2 | 24 | 0.1 | 18,937 |
Florida | 2,458 | 45.5 | 2,732 | 50.5 | 186 | 3.4 | 15 | 0.3 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0.2 | 6 | 0.1 | 5,408 |
Ciales | 4,580 | 47.7 | 4,820 | 50.2 | 146 | 1.5 | 12 | 0.1 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0.1 | 21 | 0.2 | 9,594 |
Río Grande | 8,546 | 47 | 9,100 | 50 | 409 | 2.2 | 55 | 0.3 | 16 | 0.1 | 43 | 0.2 | 22 | 0.1 | 18,191 |
Bayamón | 43,912 | 47 | 46,435 | 49.7 | 2,488 | 2.7 | 320 | 0.3 | 56 | 0.1 | 174 | 0.2 | 80 | 0.1 | 93,465 |
Camuy | 8,190 | 48.2 | 8,442 | 49.7 | 254 | 1.5 | 34 | 0.2 | 9 | 0.1 | 30 | 0.2 | 32 | 0.2 | 16,991 |
Fajardo | 6,660 | 47.2 | 7,015 | 49.7 | 344 | 2.4 | 34 | 0.2 | 19 | 0.1 | 32 | 0.2 | 15 | 0.1 | 14,119 |
San Lorenzo | 8,067 | 47.7 | 8,405 | 49.7 | 313 | 1.9 | 39 | 0.2 | 11 | 0.1 | 36 | 0.2 | 26 | 0.2 | 16,897 |
Cidra | 7,762 | 45.8 | 8,377 | 49.5 | 687 | 4.1 | 50 | 0.3 | 8 | 0 | 36 | 0.2 | 17 | 0.1 | 16,937 |
Jayuya | 3,961 | 47.7 | 4,104 | 49.5 | 181 | 2.2 | 16 | 0.2 | 5 | 0.1 | 18 | 0.2 | 14 | 0.2 | 8,299 |
Juncos | 6,555 | 47.9 | 6,769 | 49.5 | 271 | 2 | 20 | 0.1 | 10 | 0.1 | 27 | 0.2 | 19 | 0.1 | 13,671 |
Arroyo | 4,058 | 47 | 4,261 | 49.3 | 266 | 3.1 | 14 | 0.2 | 6 | 0.1 | 20 | 0.2 | 11 | 0.1 | 8,636 |
Arecibo | 21,024 | 48.1 | 21,528 | 49.2 | 915 | 2.1 | 96 | 0.2 | 20 | 0 | 83 | 0.2 | 59 | 0.1 | 43,725 |
Utuado | 7,688 | 48.7 | 7,757 | 49.2 | 248 | 1.6 | 25 | 0.2 | 7 | 0 | 34 | 0.2 | 21 | 0.1 | 15,780 |
Corozal | 8,501 | 48.8 | 8,533 | 48.9 | 308 | 1.8 | 24 | 0.1 | 8 | 0 | 30 | 0.2 | 29 | 0.2 | 17,433 |
Cataño | 6,052 | 48.2 | 6,124 | 48.7 | 303 | 2.4 | 43 | 0.3 | 7 | 0.1 | 24 | 0.2 | 14 | 0.1 | 12,567 |
Orocovis | 5,917 | 49.4 | 5,826 | 48.6 | 167 | 1.4 | 11 | 0.1 | 6 | 0.1 | 35 | 0.3 | 19 | 0.2 | 11,981 |
Aguada | 9,044 | 49 | 8,885 | 48.1 | 383 | 2.1 | 48 | 0.3 | 9 | 0 | 35 | 0.2 | 49 | 0.3 | 18,453 |
Aguas Buenas | 5,989 | 47.6 | 6,037 | 48 | 491 | 3.9 | 30 | 0.2 | 2 | 0 | 17 | 0.1 | 15 | 0.1 | 12,581 |
Quebradillas | 6,095 | 49.3 | 5,934 | 48 | 273 | 2.2 | 29 | 0.2 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 0.2 | 11 | 0.1 | 12,368 |
Añasco | 6,632 | 50.2 | 6,334 | 47.9 | 186 | 1.4 | 28 | 0.2 | 3 | 0 | 19 | 0.1 | 17 | 0.1 | 13,219 |
Lares | 7,282 | 49.4 | 7,033 | 47.7 | 359 | 2.4 | 35 | 0.2 | 4 | 0 | 20 | 0.1 | 14 | 0.1 | 14,747 |
Maunabo | 2,838 | 48.3 | 2,805 | 47.7 | 197 | 3.4 | 9 | 0.2 | 6 | 0.1 | 10 | 0.2 | 10 | 0.2 | 5,875 |
Ceiba | 2,782 | 49.9 | 2,647 | 47.5 | 107 | 1.9 | 15 | 0.3 | 5 | 0.1 | 10 | 0.2 | 10 | 0.2 | 5,576 |
Comerío | 5,099 | 49.7 | 4,869 | 47.5 | 249 | 2.4 | 14 | 0.1 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0.1 | 10 | 0.1 | 10,255 |
Juana Díaz | 9,737 | 50.4 | 9,125 | 47.3 | 321 | 1.7 | 38 | 0.2 | 3 | 0 | 45 | 0.2 | 33 | 0.2 | 19,302 |
Toa Alta | 10,353 | 49.8 | 9,794 | 47.2 | 511 | 2.5 | 55 | 0.3 | 7 | 0 | 41 | 0.2 | 11 | 0.1 | 20,772 |
Toa Baja | 17,324 | 49.5 | 16,496 | 47.1 | 958 | 2.7 | 99 | 0.3 | 24 | 0.1 | 74 | 0.2 | 29 | 0.1 | 35,004 |
Hatillo | 8,888 | 50.7 | 8,220 | 46.9 | 326 | 1.9 | 42 | 0.2 | 9 | 0.1 | 20 | 0.1 | 19 | 0.1 | 17,524 |
Peñuelas | 5,314 | 48.5 | 5,139 | 46.9 | 429 | 3.9 | 28 | 0.3 | 8 | 0.1 | 19 | 0.2 | 23 | 0.2 | 10,960 |
Barranquitas | 6,938 | 50.6 | 6,404 | 46.7 | 298 | 2.2 | 17 | 0.1 | 7 | 0.1 | 24 | 0.2 | 12 | 0.1 | 13,700 |
Carolina | 36,565 | 50 | 34,151 | 46.7 | 1,870 | 2.6 | 253 | 0.3 | 43 | 0.1 | 115 | 0.2 | 61 | 0.1 | 73,058 |
Luquillo | 4,029 | 50.7 | 3,699 | 46.6 | 158 | 2 | 33 | 0.4 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0.2 | 9 | 0.1 | 7,942 |
Patillas | 4,706 | 50 | 4,383 | 46.6 | 252 | 2.7 | 22 | 0.2 | 7 | 0.1 | 18 | 0.2 | 20 | 0.2 | 9,408 |
San Juan | 82,427 | 49.4 | 77,537 | 46.5 | 5,490 | 3.3 | 871 | 0.5 | 135 | 0.1 | 309 | 0.2 | 135 | 0.1 | 166,904 |
Gurabo | 7,051 | 50.6 | 6,460 | 46.4 | 334 | 2.4 | 39 | 0.3 | 9 | 0.1 | 27 | 0.2 | 9 | 0.1 | 13,929 |
Isabela | 10,871 | 51.2 | 9,844 | 46.4 | 388 | 1.8 | 42 | 0.2 | 5 | 0 | 37 | 0.2 | 33 | 0.2 | 21,220 |
Guayama | 8,290 | 50.5 | 7,551 | 46 | 442 | 2.7 | 38 | 0.2 | 11 | 0.1 | 48 | 0.3 | 23 | 0.1 | 16,403 |
Yabucoa | 9,451 | 51.5 | 8,435 | 46 | 353 | 1.9 | 32 | 0.2 | 16 | 0.1 | 39 | 0.2 | 25 | 0.1 | 18,351 |
Naguabo | 5,500 | 51.6 | 4,878 | 45.8 | 208 | 2 | 19 | 0.2 | 4 | 0 | 28 | 0.3 | 13 | 0.1 | 10,650 |
Ponce | 34,690 | 50.8 | 31,264 | 45.8 | 1,830 | 2.7 | 204 | 0.3 | 52 | 0.1 | 139 | 0.2 | 87 | 0.1 | 68,266 |
Coamo | 8,344 | 52.7 | 7,178 | 45.3 | 239 | 1.5 | 21 | 0.1 | 11 | 0.1 | 24 | 0.2 | 20 | 0.1 | 15,837 |
Las Marías | 2,805 | 52.4 | 2,411 | 45.1 | 105 | 2 | 6 | 0.1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0.1 | 12 | 0.2 | 5,348 |
San Germán | 8,605 | 52 | 7,432 | 44.9 | 375 | 2.3 | 63 | 0.4 | 17 | 0.1 | 38 | 0.2 | 27 | 0.2 | 16,557 |
Guánica | 4,659 | 52 | 4,005 | 44.7 | 250 | 2.8 | 22 | 0.2 | 7 | 0.1 | 13 | 0.1 | 9 | 0.1 | 8,965 |
Morovis | 7,237 | 53.5 | 6,036 | 44.6 | 204 | 1.5 | 17 | 0.1 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 0.1 | 23 | 0.2 | 13,538 |
Caguas | 30,388 | 52.3 | 25,582 | 44 | 1,787 | 3.1 | 190 | 0.3 | 40 | 0.1 | 116 | 0.2 | 46 | 0.1 | 58,149 |
Trujillo Alto | 14,112 | 51.9 | 11,973 | 44 | 901 | 3.3 | 115 | 0.4 | 18 | 0.1 | 45 | 0.2 | 21 | 0.1 | 27,185 |
Barceloneta | 5,552 | 54.1 | 4,501 | 43.9 | 151 | 1.5 | 12 | 0.1 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 0.2 | 11 | 0.1 | 10,254 |
Canóvanas | 8,405 | 53.1 | 6,945 | 43.9 | 352 | 2.2 | 45 | 0.3 | 9 | 0.1 | 47 | 0.3 | 15 | 0.1 | 15,818 |
San Sebastián | 11,335 | 52.2 | 9,499 | 43.7 | 748 | 3.4 | 59 | 0.3 | 12 | 0.1 | 43 | 0.2 | 32 | 0.1 | 21,728 |
Vega Alta | 8,548 | 53.5 | 6,975 | 43.6 | 362 | 2.3 | 42 | 0.3 | 8 | 0.1 | 38 | 0.2 | 19 | 0.1 | 15,992 |
Vega Baja | 13,559 | 54 | 10,801 | 43 | 625 | 2.5 | 47 | 0.2 | 12 | 0 | 50 | 0.2 | 23 | 0.1 | 25,117 |
Yauco | 9,947 | 53.7 | 7,879 | 42.6 | 556 | 3 | 49 | 0.3 | 18 | 0.1 | 27 | 0.1 | 34 | 0.2 | 18,510 |
Mayagüez | 22,611 | 53.9 | 17,847 | 42.5 | 1,191 | 2.8 | 141 | 0.3 | 27 | 0.1 | 96 | 0.2 | 49 | 0.1 | 41,962 |
Santa Isabel | 4,786 | 54.9 | 3,702 | 42.5 | 170 | 2 | 21 | 0.2 | 5 | 0.1 | 6 | 0.1 | 21 | 0.2 | 8,711 |
Rincón | 4,093 | 55.9 | 3,082 | 42.1 | 97 | 1.3 | 11 | 0.2 | 4 | 0.1 | 21 | 0.3 | 15 | 0.2 | 7,323 |
Cayey | 11,228 | 54.2 | 8,706 | 42 | 629 | 3 | 63 | 0.3 | 21 | 0.1 | 29 | 0.1 | 34 | 0.2 | 20,710 |
Hormigueros | 4,407 | 54.2 | 3,408 | 41.9 | 268 | 3.3 | 19 | 0.2 | 7 | 0.1 | 12 | 0.1 | 16 | 0.2 | 8,137 |
Lajas | 6,450 | 56.1 | 4,750 | 41.3 | 238 | 2.1 | 24 | 0.2 | 9 | 0.1 | 15 | 0.1 | 18 | 0.2 | 11,504 |
Cabo Rojo | 10,252 | 53.9 | 7,839 | 41.2 | 796 | 4.2 | 62 | 0.3 | 10 | 0.1 | 48 | 0.3 | 23 | 0.1 | 19,030 |
Humacao | 13,184 | 56.1 | 9,577 | 40.8 | 567 | 2.4 | 73 | 0.3 | 23 | 0.1 | 41 | 0.2 | 26 | 0.1 | 23,491 |
Guayanilla | 5,411 | 55.3 | 3,934 | 40.2 | 378 | 3.9 | 16 | 0.2 | 3 | 0 | 24 | 0.2 | 24 | 0.2 | 9,790 |
Vieques | 2,207 | 56.2 | 1,580 | 40.2 | 110 | 2.8 | 7 | 0.2 | 2 | 0.1 | 12 | 0.3 | 12 | 0.3 | 3,930 |
Salinas | 6,726 | 57.2 | 4,693 | 39.9 | 259 | 2.2 | 28 | 0.2 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 0.1 | 26 | 0.2 | 11,754 |
Dorado | 8,547 | 57.2 | 5,887 | 39.4 | 426 | 2.9 | 27 | 0.2 | 13 | 0.1 | 34 | 0.2 | 10 | 0.1 | 14,944 |
Culebra | 492 | 57 | 336 | 38.9 | 28 | 3.2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.1 | 2 | 0.2 | 863 |
Naranjito | 8,924 | 59.4 | 5,749 | 38.3 | 298 | 2 | 18 | 0.1 | 8 | 0.1 | 19 | 0.1 | 12 | 0.1 | 15,028 |
Sabana Grande | 7,257 | 60.5 | 4,425 | 36.9 | 238 | 2 | 27 | 0.2 | 8 | 0.1 | 19 | 0.2 | 15 | 0.1 | 11,989 |
Aibonito | 7,233 | 60.1 | 4,396 | 36.5 | 354 | 2.9 | 22 | 0.2 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 0.2 | 10 | 0.1 | 12,038 |
Total | 787,900 | 50.3 | 728,157 | 46.5 | 39,838 | 2.5 | 4,536 | 0.3 | 993 | 0.1 | 2,956 | 0.2 | 1,890 | 0.1 | 1,566,270 |
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