2020_Puerto_Rican_general_election

2020 Puerto Rican general election

2020 Puerto Rican general election

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General elections were held in Puerto Rico on November 3, 2020, to elect the officials of the Puerto Rican government who will serve from January 2021 to January 2025, most notably the position of Governor and Resident Commissioner. In addition, there was a non-binding status referendum to ask voters if Puerto Rico should become the 51st state of the Union.

Quick Facts Nominee, Party ...

Incumbent New Progressive Party Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced, who succeeded to the governorship on August 7, 2019, was eligible to run for a full term in office, which she announced on December 16, 2019. However, Vázquez Garced lost her bid when former Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi won the New Progressive Party membership vote on the nomination for governor.[1]

Pierluisi ultimately won the election on November 3, 2020, albeit by a narrow margin of 1.37%. As a result, this election was the closest race of the 2020 gubernatorial election cycle. Pierlusi's winning 33% of the vote was the lowest obtained by a successful gubernatorial candidate in Puerto Rico since the first direct election in 1948. Jenniffer González-Colón was re-elected as Resident Commissioner.

Electoral system

The Governor and Resident Commissioner are elected via first-past-the-post voting. The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico is the only member of the United States House of Representatives who is elected every four years instead of a two-year term.

Candidates

Governor

New Progressive Party

On March 3, 2019, Ricardo Rosselló announced he would seek re-election as governor in the 2020 elections; however, following the Telegramgate scandal and subsequent protests in front of La Fortaleza, Rosselló announced on July 21, 2019, that he would withdraw his bid for re-election. Shortly thereafter, on August 2, he resigned as governor.

On September 9, 2019, Pedro Pierluisi, who served briefly as de facto governor following Rosselló's resignation, announced he would seek the PNP nomination for governor for the 2020 elections. On December 19, 2019, Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced, who was elevated to governor on August 7, 2019, after Pierluisi's appointment was deemed unconstitutional, announced her intention to seek re-election to a full term as governor.

On August 16, 2020, in an extended primary process marred by troubles delivering ballots to polling places for the original primary date of August 9, Pierluisi defeated Vázquez Garced.[2]

After the defeat of Popular Democratic candidate David Bernier in the 2016 Puerto Rico gubernatorial elections, the party was mostly divided in opinions on how to move forward to the 2020 elections. While many in the party wanted to keep going with the same ideology of the Free Associated State, Carmen Yulín Cruz expressed a desire to create a new movement in the party, one that would support a free association of Puerto Rico as an independent country from the United States.[3][4]

On August 16, 2020, in an extended primary process marred by troubles delivering ballots to polling places for the original primary date of August 9, Delgado defeated Bhatia and Cruz.

Other candidates

On December 27, 2019, the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) filed its list of candidates for the general election, including Sen. Juan Dalmau as governor.[5] Dalmau previously ran as the PIP candidate in the 2012 Puerto Rico gubernatorial election.

After the defeat of Alexandra Lúgaro as an independent candidate and Rafael Bernabe Riefkohl as the candidate for the Working People's Party in the 2016 Puerto Rico gubernatorial election, the two candidates joined with other Puerto Rican politicians in March 2019 to form a new political party called Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana (Citizen's Victory Movement). On November 19, 2019, Alexandra Lúgaro announced her second run for governor, this time running as the MVC candidate.

Proyecto Dignidad was certified as an official party by the CEE (State Commission on Elections) on January 22, 2020. It needed 47,406 petitions of endorsement to be certified, of which it received 47,856. [6] On May 20, 2020, the party announced that César Vazquez would be their gubernatorial nominee.[7][8]

On May 5, 2020, the CEE (State Commission on Elections) certified the candidacy of Eliezer Molina after a legal dispute over the amount of endorsements required to ratify his nomination.[9][10][11]

Resident Commissioner

On November 3, 2019, incumbent resident commissioner Jenniffer González of the PNP announced that she would run for a second term for the office of resident commissioner.

On December 10, 2019, former governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá of the PPD announced that he would run for a second non-consecutive term for resident commissioner. His first term was from 2001 to 2005. He became the official nominee on January 31, 2020, after his opponent José Nadal Power did not receive enough endorsements to officialize his candidacy.[12]

On December 27, 2019, the Puerto Rican Independence Party nominated Dr. Luis Roberto Piñero for resident commissioner.

On February 5, 2020, the Citizen's Victory Movement had a general assembly, where Dr. Zayira Jordán Conde was chosen as the candidate for resident commissioner.

The final candidates were:

Senate

Main article: 2020 Puerto Rico Senate election

House of Representatives

Main article: 2020 Puerto Rico House of Representatives election

Referendum

Main article: 2020 Puerto Rican status referendum

The referendum asked one yes-or-no question:[13]

"¿Debe Puerto Rico ser admitido inmediatamente dentro de la Unión como un Estado?" (Should Puerto Rico be admitted immediately into the Union as a State?)[14]

There were 655,505 votes in favor of statehood (52.52%) and 592,671 votes opposed (47.48%).[15] The referendum was non-binding, as the power to grant statehood lies with the United States Congress.

Opinion polls

Governor

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Hypothetical polling
with Pedro Pierluisi
with Wanda Vázquez

Resident Commissioner

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...
More information Hypothetical polling, Poll source ...

San Juan Mayoralty

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...

Referendum

More information Poll source, Date(s) administered ...

Results

Governor

The gubernatorial election was won by former resident commissioner Pedro Pierluisi (PNP/D), narrowly defeating Isabela Mayor Carlos Delgado (PPD/I). The margin of victory was of 1.49%, making it the third closest election in the last 20 years, the former being the 2004 election (0.18%) and the 2012 election (0.7%). In a surprising turn of events, all five parties remained registered, including the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) which had failed to remain registered in the last four elections.[16]

More information Candidate, Party ...

Resident commissioner

The resident commissioner election was won by incumbent resident commissioner Jennifer Gonzalez (PNP/R), defeating former governor Anibal Acevedo Vila (PPD/D) by a wide margin (9.02%). Gonzalez received the most votes out of any candidate. She will become the first female and youngest resident commissioner to be re-elected to her seat.[17]

More information Candidate, Party ...

Senate

Main article: 2020 Puerto Rico Senate election

While the New Progressive Party lost their 2/3 majority, the Popular Democratic Party failed to get the 1/2 majority by two seats. This senate will be the most diverse, having at least one senator of each party, including one independent senator.[18][19]

More information Party, At-large ...

House of Representatives

Main article: 2020 Puerto Rico House of Representatives election

The New Progressive Party lost their 2/3 majority and the Popular Democratic Party gained enough seats to receive the 1/2 majority. This House of Representatives will be the most diverse, having at least one representative of each party.[20][21]

More information Party, At-large ...

Mayoral

Main article: 2020 Puerto Rican municipal elections

The Popular Democratic Party kept the majority of municipalities, but it lowered from 45 to 41. Many incumbent mayors lost their races after years in the position, like Ponce (12 years under PNP) and Humacao (20 years under PPD).[22] The closest race was of Guánica, where both Ismael Rodríguez (PPD)[23] and Edgardo Cruz (Ind)[24] claimed victory. At the end, the Supreme Court confirmed Rodríguez as the winner.[25]

More information Party, Mayoralties ...

Referendum

Main article: 2020 Puerto Rican status referendum

The option of "yes" won in the referendum, making the third time statehood won the majority of votes. The referendum is non-binding, as the power to grant statehood lies with the United States Congress.[26]

More information Choice, Votes ...

Notes

  1. Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. Molina (I) and "Other candidate" with 1%
  3. Molina (I) with 1%
  4. Would not vote with 2%; Molina (I) and "Other candidate" with 0%
  5. Molina (I) with 1%
  6. "None" with 3%; Molina (I) with 2%; "Other" with 1%
  7. Would not vote with 3%; Molina (I) and "Someone else" with 2%
  8. Includes "refused"
  9. "Other candidate" with 1%; would not vote with 1%
  10. Independent Eliezer Molina with 2%, "Someone else" with 4%, "Would not vote" with 3%
  11. Would not vote with 11%; "Someone else" with 7%
  12. Polled as "Candidate of Project Dignity"
  13. "Other candidate" with 11%; would not vote with 7%
  14. Would not vote with 14%; "Someone else" with 9%; Vázquez (PD) with 3%
  15. Would not vote with 23%; "Someone else" with 11%
  16. Not yet released
  17. "Someone else" and would not vote with 14%
  18. Would not vote with 15%; "Someone else" with 9%
  19. "Other candidate" with 9%; would not vote with 7%; Generic Project Dignity with 4%
  20. "Other candidate" with 11%; would not vote with 7%; Generic Project Dignity with 4%
  21. Would not vote with 14%; "Someone else" with 9%; Vázquez (PD) with 4%
  22. Would not vote with 21%; "Someone else" with 10%
  23. Would not vote with 18%; "Someone else" with 9%
  24. Would not vote with 9%; "Other candidate" with 8%; Generic Project Dignity with 4%
  25. Would not vote with 13%; "Someone else" with 7%; Vázquez (PD) with 3%
  26. "Other candidate" and would not vote with 0%
  27. Would not vote with 6%; "Someone else" with 1%
  28. Includes "Refused"
  29. "None" with 6%
  30. Would not vote with 6%; "Someone else" with 2%
  31. Would not vote with 1%
  32. Would not vote with 5%; "Someone else" with 3%
  33. Would not vote with 8%; "Someone else" with 2%
  34. Would not vote with 17%; "Someone else" with 8%
  35. Not yet released
  36. Would not vote with 17%; "Someone else" with 9%
  37. Would not vote with 16%; "Someone else" with 9%
  38. "Other candidate" with 12%; would not vote with 7%
  39. "Someone else" with 2%
  40. Includes "Refused"
  41. Would not vote with 4%; "Refused" with 1%; Undecided with 7%
  42. Would not vote with 4%; "Refused" with 2%; Undecided with 8%

    References

    1. [1]
      "Wanda Vázquez retará a Pedro Pierluisi en las primarias por la candidatura a la gobernación por el PNP". El Nuevo Dia (in Spanish). December 16, 2019. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
    2. [2]
      "Puerto Rico's governor loses primary in chaotic election". Politico. August 16, 2020. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
    3. [3]
      Marzo 2019, Por: Primera Hora | 22 de (March 22, 2019). "Alcaldesa de San Juan Carmen Yulín Cruz aspirará a la gobernación de Puerto Rico". El Diario NY (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    4. [4]
      Saldaña, José M. (April 9, 2018). "Yulín gobernadora... mucho cuidado". El Vocero de Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
    5. [5]
      "Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño primer partido en radicar candidaturas". Claridad (in Spanish). San Juan, Puerto Rico. December 28, 2019. Archived from the original on February 7, 2020. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
    6. [6]
      "CEE certifica al Proyecto Dignidad como partido político | Metro". www.metro.pr. January 22, 2020. Retrieved June 21, 2020.
    7. [7]
      García, Lyanne Meléndez (May 20, 2020). "Proyecto Dignidad oficializa su candidato a gobernador". Metro (in Spanish). Retrieved May 22, 2020.
    8. [8]
      "César Vázquez es el candidato a la gobernación bajo Proyecto Dignidad". Telemundo Puerto Rico (in Spanish). May 21, 2020. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
    9. [9]
      Marrero, Juan (February 11, 2020). "Eliezer Molina demanda a la CEE por la entrega de endosos". Metro (in Spanish). Retrieved June 22, 2020.
    10. [10]
      González, Jennifer (February 15, 2020). "Juez ordena a la CEE aceptar endosos de Eliezer Molina". Metro (in Spanish). Retrieved June 22, 2020.
    11. [11]
      "CEE certifica a Eliezer Molina como candidato a la gobernación". Primera Hora. May 6, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
    12. [12]
      Marrero, Juan (December 10, 2019). "Aníbal Acevedo Vilá buscará la comisaría residente por el PPD". Metro (in Spanish). Retrieved June 22, 2020.
    13. [13]
      "Proclama del plebicito estadidad si o no" (PDF). Comision Estatal de Elecciones. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
    14. [14]
      "Modelo de Papeleta" (PDF). Comision Estatal de Elecciones. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
    15. [15]
      Puerto Rico State Commission on Elections
    16. [16]
      "Gubernatorial Result". elecciones2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
    17. [17]
      "Resident Commissioner Result". elecciones2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
    18. [18]
      "At-Large Senate Result". elecciones2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
    19. [19]
      "District Senate Result". elecciones2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
    20. [20]
      "At-Large House of Representatives Result". elecciones2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
    21. [21]
      "District House of Representatives Result". elecciones2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
    22. [22]
      "Una mirada al cambio en las alcaldías". www.noticel.com (in Spanish). Retrieved November 9, 2020.
    23. [23]
      Collazo, Fernando A. "Candidato del PPD reclama que ganó en el recuento por la alcaldía de Guánica". Metro (in Spanish). Retrieved July 23, 2021.
    24. [24]
      "Comisionado del PNP asegura Edgardo Cruz ganó la elección de Guánica por nueve votos". Telemundo Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Retrieved July 23, 2021.
    25. [25]
      VOCERO, Melissa Correa Velázquez, EL. "Ismael "Tití" Rodríguez permanecerá como alcalde de Guánica". El Vocero de Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Retrieved July 23, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    26. [26]
      "Referendum Result". elecciones2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
    Official campaign websites
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