Puerto Rico finalizes details of upcoming referendum on political status amid criticism over cost

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Puerto Rico finalizes details of upcoming referendum on political status amid criticism over cost

By DÁNICA COTO
Updated 12:56 PM EDT, July 24, 2024

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Plans to hold a nonbinding referendum on Puerto Rico’s political status came under scrutiny Wednesday for its multimillion-dollar cost as election officials announced the order and description of choices on the upcoming ballot.

The $1.3 million referendum that critics have described as “inconsequential” will feature three choices in the following order: independence with free association; statehood and independence. Under the free association option, issues like foreign affairs, U.S. citizenship and use of the U.S. dollar would be negotiated.

The order of options was set following a televised drawing held Wednesday that was supervised by judges at Puerto Rico’s elections commission.

Regardless of the outcome of the referendum scheduled for the Nov. 5 general elections, the island’s status will not change. That would require approval from the U.S. Congress and the U.S. president.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/puerto-rico-political-status-plebiscite-referendum-2e268a33235a97b7068410476967cbfd