Judge orders ID verification for early votes in Puerto Rico's election delays

The situation surrounding the certification of election results in Puerto Rico has become increasingly contentious following the general elections held on November 2, 2024. Almost a month after these historic elections, not a single district has produced a certified vote tally. This ongoing delay has raised concerns about the upcoming swearing-in ceremony scheduled for January 2, 2025. In response to a recent lawsuit filed by voters affiliated with the pro-statehood New Progressive Party, Judge Raúl A. Candelario López ruled that early votes must be counted even if the postal address used to request them does not match the address in the voter registration. This ruling has provoked significant backlash, particularly from members of the opposing Popular Democratic Party, whose electoral commissioner, Karla Angleró, has voiced intentions to appeal the decision and previously emphasized the need for address verification to prevent electoral fraud. The legal battle centers around allegations of electoral irregularities, including reports of ballots being requested from the same P.O. box by different individuals, suggesting potential misconduct in the early voting process. Judicial officials are currently investigating these claims while also attempting to complete the certification of ballots by December 20 or 22, 2024. The complexities of the election certification process have been compounded by an unexpected rise in write-in votes, alongside errors found in bedside ballots. To ensure fairness and accuracy in the ongoing processes, electoral commissioners agreed to start the counting of over 60,000 votes from scratch. This combined effort to address procedural issues highlights the importance of adhering to legal and electoral standards, especially given that local laws stipulate a deadline for certification by the end of December. As investigations continue, there is an urgent need for clarity and transparency in electoral proceedings. The governor-elect, as per preliminary results, belongs to the New Progressive Party, but the current controversies threaten to overshadow the intended smooth transition of power. In addition, the electoral commission has been forced to temporarily suspend counting for a nonbinding referendum on Puerto Rico's political status to focus resources on the general election ballots. This decision reflects a broader struggle within Puerto Rico's political landscape, where various parties vie for a legitimate and representative electoral process amidst lingering tensions and challenges in voter validation and ballot certification. Ultimately, the outcome of these legal and electoral maneuverings will significantly impact both immediate governance in Puerto Rico and the future of its electoral integrity.