Puerto Rico to Hold Democratic Presidential Primary on Sunday

Puerto Rico to Hold Democratic Presidential Primary on Sunday

WASHINGTON (AP) — Puerto Rico is gearing up for its Democratic presidential primary on Sunday, providing registered voters on the island with their only opportunity to officially participate in the race for the White House.

While residents of Puerto Rico cannot vote in the general election, they can take part in presidential primaries and send delegates to both the Democratic and Republican national conventions. President Joe Biden, who has already secured the Democratic nomination, faces minimal opposition on the ballot Sunday.

Originally scheduled for March 17, the Democratic primary was moved and scaled back to save costs after Biden clinched the nomination. The party estimates the primary will now cost less than $60,000, a significant reduction from the initial budget of $1 million. On the Republican side, former President Donald Trump was awarded all 23 delegates in a caucus-style vote.

Although Puerto Ricans cannot vote for president in November, their influence could still impact Electoral College calculations. Both the Biden and Trump campaigns had outreach efforts in Puerto Rico in the 2020 general election, hoping to sway voters who could in turn influence friends and relatives on the U.S. mainland.

With approximately 5.8 million Puerto Ricans living in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the primary holds significance beyond the island. Trump’s narrow victories in states like Florida and Pennsylvania in 2020 highlight the potential impact of Puerto Rican voters residing in key swing states.

In the 2020 Puerto Rico primary, Biden emerged victorious with 62% of the vote, followed by Bernie Sanders and Michael Bloomberg. The primary this year will see Biden, self-help author Marianne Williamson, and U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips on the ballot.

Puerto Rico’s 55 pledged Democratic delegates will be allocated according to the national party’s rules, with Biden expected to dominate the primary. Turnout in past Democratic Puerto Rico primaries has varied, with party officials expecting final results by 5 p.m. ET on Sunday.

As the island prepares for its Democratic primary, all eyes will be on the outcome and its potential implications for the upcoming general election. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

(Source: The Associated Press)