How Puerto Rico could sway 2024 US Elections despite no electoral vote

Although Puerto Ricans were recently stirred by a controversial statement made at a rally for former President Donald Trump, residents on the island will not be able to voice their reaction at the polls this November.

Due to its status as a US territory, Puerto Rico does not participate in the general presidential election, meaning the island’s 3.3 million residents will not cast ballots for the upcoming presidential race, as mentioned in a report by USA Today.

However, Puerto Ricans residing in the continental U.S. play an important role, especially in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, where the large Puerto Rican diaspora has the power to impact the election.


Also Read : Harris or trump? Days before U.S election, new polls released in Pennsylvania, Michigan and North Carolina; here's who is winning

With 5.8 million Puerto Ricans residing across the United States, primarily in regions with significant Latino populations, the influence of Puerto Rican voters cannot be overlooked.

Puerto Rican voters are the second-largest Latino group in the US, contributing notably to the voter pool that candidates seek to appeal to in their efforts to reach the White House, as mentioned in the USA Today report.

Participation in Primary Process Only

Despite lacking voting rights in the general election, Puerto Rico’s residents can influence each party’s nominee during the primary process. Former President Trump, who won the 2024 Republican primary on the island, received backing from Puerto Rico’s GOP delegates.

His win among these delegates reflects the potential influence Puerto Rico holds during the preliminary stages of the election, even if its voice is absent in the November ballot.

As the 2024 elections near, Trump is seeing a rise in support among Latino voters, including endorsements from notable Puerto Rican artists like Nicky Jam and Anuel AA. The island’s relationship with Trump, however, remains complex.

Also Read : That's mammoth: Donald Trump files whopping $10 billion lawsuit against CBS News for deceptively editing Harris interview

During Trump’s presidency, Puerto Rico experienced two devastating hurricanes in 2017, which claimed thousands of lives. His response to the crisis—particularly the viral image of him tossing paper towels to residents—drew criticism for appearing dismissive of the island’s suffering, as per the USA Today report.

Trump Campaign Faces Backlash Over Comedian’s Remarks

Adding to the political conversation surrounding Puerto Rico, comedian Tony Hinchcliffe stirred controversy with remarks at a recent Trump rally at Madison Square Garden, calling the island a “floating island of garbage.”

This statement, which drew condemnation from both Democratic and Republican circles, prompted swift distancing from the Trump campaign. Senior Trump advisor Danielle Alvarez issued a statement clarifying that Hinchcliffe’s comment “does not reflect the views of President Trump or the campaign.”

The backlash reached notable figures, including Puerto Rican celebrities Bad Bunny and Ricky Martin, who voiced their disapproval.

Grammy-winning artist Bad Bunny addressed the remarks directly to his 45.6 million Instagram followers, sharing a video in which Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted her administration’s initiatives for Puerto Rico while criticizing Trump’s past actions.

Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also weighed in, encouraging Puerto Ricans in battleground states like Pennsylvania to watch the footage and remain informed on issues impacting the Puerto Rican community.

FAQs

When will the US Elections be held?
US Polls will be conducted on November 5.

Who is leading in the swing states in US Elections?
As per reports, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are in neck-in-neck fight in the swing states in the US Polls.