Puerto Rico's Nonbinding Referendum Faces Criticism Over Costs
- Puerto Rico is preparing to hold a nonbinding referendum regarding its political status, which has drawn criticism due to the projected multimillion-dollar costs.
- Election officials have announced details about the ballot choices for the upcoming vote.
- The high expense of the referendum raises questions about its necessity and potential impact on the island's financial priorities.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A planned nonbinding referendum on Puerto Rico's political status has drawn significant criticism due to its estimated multimillion-dollar cost. Election officials announced the ballot's order and choices, which include independence with free association, statehood, and independence. The referendum, set for the Nov. 5 general elections, is projected to cost $1.3 million, raising concerns among critics who label it as “inconsequential.” The order of the options was determined through a televised drawing supervised by judges from the elections commission. Despite the referendum, experts assert that the island's political status will remain unchanged regardless of the outcome. Jessika Padilla, the alternate president of the elections commission, revealed that the agency's budget for the elections was initially $6.2 million but was increased to $7.5 million, with the extra funds allocated for the referendum. Critics, including Jesús Manuel Ortiz of the Popular Democratic Party, argue that this expenditure is unjustifiable amid the island's ongoing economic crisis and rising cost of living. Puerto Rico is currently navigating the aftermath of the largest public debt restructuring in U.S. history, following its inability to manage a debt exceeding $70 billion. The island's Supreme Court has recently agreed to hear a case related to the referendum, highlighting the contentious nature of Puerto Rico's political status. Governor Pedro Pierluisi has emphasized the lack of equality for Puerto Rico's 3.2 million U.S. citizens, who cannot vote in U.S. general elections, further complicating the political landscape.