Puerto Rico overwhelmingly votes to become a state on June 11, 2017
Approximately 97% of votes cast favored statehood.
MONROE, La. (KNOE) - On June 11, 2017, Puerto Rico voters went to the polls and overwhelmingly voted to ask the U.S. Congress to make its territory a state.
It was the second time voters had voted in favor of becoming a state, but this time the vote was 97% in favor of the proposal.
Puerto Rico has voted seven times to determine the preferred “political status” of the U.S. territory.
The last four times (2012, 2017, 2020, and 2024) voters have preferred becoming a state over staying a territory, becoming an independent country, or having a “free association” with the U.S.
The Territorial Clause of the United States Constitution states only the United States Congress can change the status of Puerto Rico.
Residents of the island are not guaranteed citizenship in the United States unless the island becomes a state.
After the 2020 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Puerto Rico Status Act on December 15, 2022.
The bipartisan bill proposed a referendum to allow Puerto Rican voters to choose from three options: statehood, independence, or sovereignty in free association with the U.S.
The bill passed the House 233-191, but died in the Senate before the end of the term.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
