Puerto Ricans have voted overwhelmingly in favor of becoming the 51st state. The island territory's governor says that the 97-percent of people who voted in favor of statehood in a referendum yesterday. Thing is, the turnout was at a historic low – at just 23% - the lowest level of participation in any election in Puerto Rico since 1967. That leaves serious questions about the legitimacy of the vote. But it's also non-binding.
Why such a low turnout? A boycott that was called over the vote. And in spite of the vote for statehood, adding a 51st star to the American flag is long way off. That's because it would still take an act of the U.S. Congress to officially add Puerto Rico to the U.S. And word is that the Republican-controlled Congress isn’t too warm to the concept.
Still, Gov. Ricardo Rossello says he’ll create a commission to appoint two senators and five representatives to demand statehood. Speaking before what was described as a “few hundred” supporters, he added, quote – “The United States of America will have to obey the will of our people!”
Source: Washington Post