The Puerto Ricans went to the voting polls and voted overwhelmingly to become a U.S. state today.
97% vote in favor of Puerto Rico's statehood today. Congress listen to the people. Respect to the people standing up for their beliefs.
— Michael Blake (@MrMikeBlake) June 11, 2017
BREAKING: Puerto Rico's governor says U.S. territory has overwhelmingly chosen statehood in nonbinding referendum.
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 11, 2017
But there’s a catch. The party that represents the anti-statehood vote boycotted the election. SO it’s not actually representative. And also, voter turn out was very low:
we are hearing turnout is low (i.e. < 30%) for Puerto Rico statehood referendum
— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) June 11, 2017
However, that’s not how elections work, right? If one party bans the election, and the other wins, they won. And we don’t usually care what the voter participation is here either.
Will #PuertoRico pick statehood, independence, or to remain the same in their critical vote? #AMJoy #puertoricandayparade pic.twitter.com/AO5VpTe4q4
— AM Joy w/Joy Reid (@amjoyshow) June 11, 2017
There's no rational reason to deny Puerto Rico admission to the union, if that's what its residents overwhelmingly favor pic.twitter.com/MHx9I9duxi
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) June 11, 2017
And a lot of people are concerned with how poorly run the government is run there – we would likely have to bail them out.
How did it get this bad? See how old laws & history play a role in Puerto Rico's current economic crisis on #UnitedShades with @wkamaubell. pic.twitter.com/y4jjna6rAJ
— CNN Original Series (@CNNOriginals) June 11, 2017
So I’m guessing this probably will go as far as previous votes, which is, not very.