Puerto Rico operates differently from U.S. states regarding voting because it is a U.S. territory, not a state. Puerto Rico residents cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections, but they can vote in local elections and for a resident commissioner, who represents the territory in the U.S. House of Representatives (but without a vote on final legislation).
Residents of Puerto Rico can register to vote in local elections and for the resident commissioner. While Puerto Ricans cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections, they participate in primary elections for presidential candidates.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be a legal resident of Puerto Rico.
- Be at least 18 years old by Election Day.
- Not be convicted of a felony, unless your voting rights have been restored.
- Not have been declared mentally incompetent by a court.
Registration Methods:
- In Person:
- Register to vote in person at any of the local Puerto Rico State Election Commission (Comisión Estatal de Elecciones, or CEE) offices or at special voter registration drives organized by the CEE.
- You must present a valid photo ID, such as a Puerto Rican driver’s license or a state-issued identification card.
Registration Deadline:
- The registration deadline is 50 days before Election Day. Ensure that you register before this deadline to be eligible to vote in upcoming elections.
Confirm Your Registration:
- You can confirm your voter registration status by visiting the nearest CEE office or using the online voter services on the CEE website.
Read more about How to Register to Vote in the U.S. in general.