Poll Shows U.S. Citizens Support PR Statehood

A recent public opinion survey commissioned by the Puerto Rico Herald shows that U.S. citizens strongly support Puerto Rico’s efforts towards political self-determination. Even more impressive was the positive response received concerning Puerto Rico statehood. The poll of 900 U.S. mainland registered voters was conducted in June of this year by Opinion Dynamics of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Highlights: Fully 68% of respondents favored admitting Puerto Rico as the 51st state, with only 16% opposed. 45% supported a self-determination process defined by the Federal government and/or the U.S. Congress, while 32% said Puerto Rico should follow its own internal process (with 23% unsure).

The poll showed that many people in the U.S. still lack a basic awareness about Puerto Rico. Only 41% correctly identified Puerto Ricans as U.S. citizens, with a similar number saying they were not. Only 13% said they were very familiar with Puerto Rico. Only 29% correctly identified Puerto Rico as having an association with the U.S. that gives some self-government to its people, but leaves important decisions to the Congress.

Click here for more comprehensive results of the poll.