Juan Jose Nolla-Acosta

Presidential Primaries in Puerto Rico Juan Jose Nolla-Acosta

Puerto Rico, like all the other US Territories, has a very limited participation in the process to elect the President. Both major parties have given Puerto Rico some delegates at their national convention. This book concentrates on the experience Puerto Rico has had on the nominating processes of both parties, particularly since 1980, when it began having presidential primaries. Unfortunately, once the primary season ends, Puerto Rico, like the rest of the territories, go back to be totally ignored by the presidential candidates. That's because the American citizens who live in Puerto Rico and the territories don't count at all in the general election. This unfair situation must change. The solution for this problem, in the case of Puerto Rico, is full admission into the union as a state. Puerto Rico has already voted twice in favor of becoming a state, in 2012 and 2017. It's time for Congress to act and grant the US citizens the political equality they have voted for.