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These topic pages provide a quick overview and easy access to all content that can be found on ACE for any give topic of interest - weather encyclopaedia files, electoral materials, comparative data, consolidated replies, case studies, or other.

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Electoral Systems

Puerto Rico Puerto Rico

ES001

Head of State
Question:How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s): e. Elected by electoral college or committee
Comments: The Head of State is the president of the United States who is elected by an Electoral College. The Puerto Rico's citizens cannot vote in presidential elections, but they can vote in the Republican and Democratic party primary presidential elections.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico”, art. 1: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PR/puerto-rico-constitucion-1970/ ; Electoral Law: “Código Electoral de Puerto Rico de 2020”: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PR/puerto-rico-ley-58-2020-codigo-electoral-2020/
Verified: 2020/11/03
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES002

Head of Government
Question:How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer: a. Directly elected in general elections (simple majority)
Comments: According to the special legal system of Puerto Rico, the General Governor is head of Government who is elected by universal suffrage through the principle of simple majority vote, for a four-year term.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico”, art. IV (s. 1) and VI (s. 4): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PR/puerto-rico-constitucion-1970/
Verified: 2020/11/03
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES003

President
Question:Does the country have a president?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: The Head of State of the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico is the president of the United States.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico”, art. 1: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PR/puerto-rico-constitucion-1970/
Verified: 2020/11/03
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES004

Number of Chambers
Question:The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer: b. Two chambers
Comments: The legislative power shall be vested in a Legislative Assembly composed by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico”, art. III (s. 1): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PR/puerto-rico-constitucion-1970/
Verified: 2020/11/03
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
ES005

Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question:What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s): a. Plurality (FPTP)
f. Single Non-Transferable Vote
Comments: The House of Representatives is composed by 51 members, 40 of which are chosen according to the principle of simple majority in single-member districts and the other 11 through the system of accumulation, where the electors only vote for individual candidates and seats are assigned to those who received the greatest number of votes.
Source: Constitution: “Constitución del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico”, art. III (s. 3, 7): http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PR/puerto-rico-constitucion-1970/ ; Electoral Law: “Código Electoral de Puerto Rico de 2020”, art. 9.10: http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/americas/PR/puerto-rico-ley-58-2020-codigo-electoral-2020/
Verified: 2020/11/03
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
The data on this page is continuously updated. Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.