Puerto Rico Herald: American Voters: Want Puerto Rico To Decide Between Statehood and Independence; Would Support Statehood Overwhelmingly Should Puerto Rican Voters Choose It; Think Statehood Would Benefit the Island’s Economy

As was previously reported, only 1 in 4 respondents was able to accurately describe Puerto Rico’s current local governing arrangement and its relationship to the United States. Overall, 7 of 10 poll participants chose an option that failed to recognize the current Commonwealth government, or were not sure what to choose.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING BEST DESCRIBES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE U.S. AND PUERTO RICO?

Puerto Rico is a state	4%
Puerto Rico is an independent nation	8%
Puerto Rico is a territory owned and governed by the United States	42%
Puerto Rico has an association with the United States that gives its people some self-government, but leaves important decisions to Congress	29%
(Not sure)	17%

THE SELF-DETERMINATION PROCESS

The poll, taken as a whole, makes clear that the U.S. public would support statehood for Puerto Rico if islanders choose it and thinks that it would benefit the island politically and economically. It is ambivalent about the prospect of Puerto Rico choosing independence but is unconcerned about any negative consequences accruing to the United States should that be Puerto Rico’s choice.

There was no overwhelming preference among those polled as to where the process of self-determination should begin. 45% thought that the Federal Government and/or the U.S. Congress should provide the people of Puerto Rico with clearly defined options which are valid and acceptable to the United States before residents of the island decide their future in an informed process, 32% thought that the people of Puerto Rico should hold their own internal process, while 23% were simply not sure.

Polling subjects were told that Puerto Ricans were American citizens without representation in the U.S. Congress and that, under the Commonwealth structure, residents of the island could receive federal benefits without paying federal taxes. After learning this, respondents were asked to react to a series of provocative statements. One result made clear that Americans want Puerto Ricans to make a decision about their political status.

“Puerto Ricans can't have it both ways; they can't have all the benefits of being American citizens without any of the responsibilities. Do you agree or disagree that it is time for them to decide between statehood and independence?”

Agree	83%
Disagree	9%
Not sure	8%

Reminded that the District of Columbia (Washington) was not a state of the union, but was allowed to vote for President, respondents were asked if the American citizens of Puerto Rico should have the same right.

Should vote	31%
Should not vote	62%
Not sure	8%

ATTITUDES TOWARDS PUERTO RICO STATEHOOD

“Making Puerto Rico a state would entitle Puerto Rican citizens to vote and require them to pay federal income taxes. It would add two U.S. Senators and five U.S. Representatives to the Congress as well as a million new American voters. Hearing the facts, do you think it would be a good or bad idea for Puerto Rico to become the 51st state of the U.S.?”

Statehood is good idea	60%
Statehood is a bad idea	17%
Mixed, good for some/bad for other	12%
Not sure	10%

If a majority of the people of Puerto Rico asked to be admitted to the Union as a state, would you favor or oppose allowing them to become the 51st state?

Favor	68%
Oppose	16%
Not sure	16%

“If Puerto Rico became a state, do you think the Puerto Rican economy would be helped, hurt or unaffected?”

Helped	61%
Hurt	6%
Unaffected	15%
Not sure	17%

“If Puerto Rico became a state, do you think the quality of life for Puerto Ricans living on the island would:”

Improve a lot	25%
Improve a little	42%
Stay the same	14%
Get a little worse	4%
Get a lot worse	2%
Not sure	12%

“Regardless of where you stand on statehood for Puerto Rico, do you think the US Congress should offer Puerto Ricans a chance to vote on a clear choice between the long-term options of statehood and independence?”

Yes	75%
No	14%
Not sure	12%

ATTITUDES TOWARDS PUERTO RICO INDEPENDENCE

Although no consensus emerged from the polling about the ramifications to Puerto Rico should it choose independence, it became clear that a general attitude exists that the island would be worse off by opting for that status, as compared to the choice of statehood.

“If Puerto Rico became independent, do think the Puerto Rican economy would be helped, hurt or unaffected?”

Helped	20%
Hurt	39%
Unaffected	23%
Not sure	19%

“If Puerto Rico became independent, do you think the quality of life for Puerto Ricans living on the island would:”

Improve a lot	8%
Improve a little	16%
Stay the same	18%
Get a little worse	31%
Get a lot worse	10%
Not sure	17%

How concerned are you that if Puerto Rico became independent, millions of Puerto Ricans would choose to move to the US rather than stay in an independent Puerto Rico?

Very concerned	18%
Somewhat concerned	22%
Only a little concerned	18%
Not that concerned at all	36%
Not sure	6%

Other questions in the poll revealed that the positions of the leading Presidential candidates relating to Puerto Rico would have little or no bearing on the likelihood that they would or would not vote for either George Bush or John Kerry.

Click here to view detailed results on this issues from Puerto Rico Herald Volume 8, No. 29

Click here to view detailed results on this issues from Puerto Rico Herald Volume 8, No. 30

Click here to view detailed results on this issues from Puerto Rico Herald Volume 8, No. 31