I’ve heard that the reason Puerto Ricans can’t vote is because Puerto Rico isn’t a state and it is states that choose the president, not voters. But what about expats living abroad? Do they just get to pick which state gets their vote? If so, couldn’t Puerto Ricans do that too?And what about people in DC? Where do their electoral college votes come from?
I’m sure I’m missing something here, I’m just not sure what.
Puerto Rico ≠ Puerto Ricans
Puerto Rico doesn’t get to vote. So anyone who is a registered resident of Puerto Rico, regardless of birth location, does not get to vote in federal elections. Full stop.
Puerto Ricans are US citizens with all the rights and privileges that go with that. They can vote in federal elections as long as they are not a registered resident of Puerto Rico. So if someone is born in Puerto Rico, moves to Florida and declares that their place of residence, then moves to Paris, France. They can vote via absentee ballot.
TL;DR: Puerto Ricans, yes. Puerto Rico, no.
So this is where I’m confused because if I (an American citizen and resident) move to Japan, I can still vote. If I move to Puerto Rico, does that mean I can no longer vote?
The key is where in the US are you a registered resident before you move to Japan. Please don’t forget that Puerto Rico is not a foreign country. Puerto Rico is still the United States. So if you are a resident of Florida before going to Japan, you can vote. If you are a resident of Florida, move to Puerto Rico, but don’t change your residency away from Florida, you can vote. If you are a resident of Puerto Rico, you cannot vote. That residence status applies to all US citizens. Residence in Puerto Rico eliminates your right to vote in US federal elections.
Colonialism is such a beautiful and logical thing. /s