A referendum on how many chambers the
Legislative Assembly should have was held in
Puerto Rico on July 10, 2005. The proposed change to a
unicameral legislature was supported by 83.94% of those voting, although
voter turnout was just 22.58%.[1] However, another referendum would have to be held to approve the specific
amendments to the
constitution that are required for the change. The
House of Representatives subsequently let the bill die, so the changes were not realised. Had the changes been approved, the legislature would have become unicameral from 2009 onwards.
Campaign
The
Puerto Rican Independence Party supported the victorious "yes" vote in favor of one chamber. The
Popular Democratic Party did not take an official stance on the matter, with its leadership supporting or opposing the measure. The
New Progressive Party opposed the constitutional amendment under electoral review, but supported abstention from the vote.