Puerto Rico, with a population of 3.7 million, is the most populous US territory. Puerto Ricans are US citizens but cannot vote for the president or have representation in Congress. US citizens in territories can participate in presidential primaries but are barred from voting in the general election.
With a population of approximately 3.7 million, Puerto Rico is by far the most populous U.S. territory, and its people are considered U.S. citizens. However, some American citizens have fewer rights than others. Although Puerto Ricans are considered natural citizens of the United States, they cannot vote for the president and are not represented in Congress. Even though there are more American citizens living in Puerto Rico than in 21 different US states, Puerto Rico is not a US state. In 1917, Congress passed the Jones-Shafroth Act, which granted US citizenship to Puerto Ricans. At the time, opponents said the United States had mandated citizenship to draft Puerto Rican men into the military during World War I.
Voting rights in U.S. territories:
More than 4 million people live in U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the US Virgin Islands.
U.S. citizens living in territories are only barred from voting in the general election for president. They can participate in presidential primaries, designed to determine the candidate of a political party.
If you were born in Puerto Rico and later become a resident of a U.S. state, you become eligible to vote in presidential elections. If you travel from the mainland to Puerto Rico, you lose that right.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
