2020 Puerto Rican general election

The 2020 Puerto Rican general elections were held on November 3, 2020, to elect the officials of the Puerto Rican government who will serve from January 2021 to January 2025, most notably the position of Governor and Resident Commissioner. In addition, there was also a non-binding status referendum to ask voters if Puerto Rico should become the 51st state of the Union.

2020 Puerto Rican general election
November 3, 2020
Turnout55.02% (Decrease0.4pp)
 
Nominee Pedro Pierluisi Carlos Delgado Altieri Alexandra Lúgaro
Party PNP PPD MVC
Alliance Democratic
Popular vote 427,016 407,817 179,265
Percentage 33.24% 31.75% 13.95%
 
Nominee Juan Dalmau César Vázquez Muñiz Eliezer Molina
Party PIP PD Independent
Popular vote 175,402 87,379 8,485
Percentage 13.58% 6.80% 0.69%
Governor before election

Wanda Vázquez Garced
PNP

 Elected Governor

Pedro Pierluisi
PNP

Pedro Pierluisi and Jenniffer González won the Governor and Resident Commissioner race, respectively. Pierluisi was elected Governor of Puerto Rico with the lowest percentage of votes ever for a winner. The Yes option won the status referendum, making it the third time the option of Statehood won.

Part of a series on

Elections in Puerto Rico
General elections
Referendums
Shadow Congresspeople
Gubernatorial
Resident Commissioner
Senate
House of Representatives
  • 2004
  • 2008
  • 2012
  • 2016
  • 2020
Mayors
PNP primaries
PPD primaries
Democratic primaries
Republican primaries
Transition processes

Final candidates

Governor
Main article: 2020 Puerto Rico gubernatorial election

The nominees for the position of Governor of Puerto Rico are:

Resident Commissioner
Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives election in Puerto Rico

The nominees for the position of Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico are (bold denotes incumbent candidate):

Senate
Main article: 2020 Puerto Rico Senate election

At-large

The ballot features candidates from five different parties and one independent candidate (bold denotes incumbent candidates).[7][8]

District

House of Representatives
Main article: 2020 Puerto Rico House of Representatives election

At-large

The ballot features candidates from five different parties (bold denotes incumbent candidates).[9][10]

District

The ballot features candidates from five different parties and several independent candidates (bold denotes incumbent candidates).[11][12]

Referendum
Main article: 2020 Puerto Rican status referendum

This referendum asked one yes-or-no question:[13]

"¿Debe Puerto Rico ser admitido inmediatamente dentro de la Unión como un Estado?" (Should Puerto Rico be admitted immediately into the Union as a State?)[14]

There were 655,505 votes in favor of statehood (52.52%) and 592,671 votes opposed (47.48%).[15] The referendum was non-binding, as the power to grant statehood lies with the United States Congress.

Polling

Governorship
Poll source Date(s)

administered

 Sample

size[lower-alpha 2]

 Margin

of error

 Pedro Pierluisi (PNP-D) Charlie Delgado (PPD) Juan Dalmau (PIP) Alexandra Lúgaro (MVC) César Vázquez (PD) Other Undecided
Radio Isla/Jorge Benítez October 12–17, 2020 676 (RV) ± 3.16% 31.5% 35% 14% 11.5% 1% 1%[lower-alpha 3] 5%
Beacon Research/Puerto Rico Herald October 13–15, 2020 809 (RV) – 31% 26% 8% 7% 3% 5%[lower-alpha 4] 19%[lower-alpha 5]
Gaither International/El Vocero September 21 – October 6, 2020 2,401 (A) ± 2% 27% 24% 8% 9% 2% 6%[lower-alpha 6] 23%
El Nuevo Día September 19–23, 2020 1,000 (RV) ± 3.1% 38% 37% 6% 13% 1% 2%[lower-alpha 7] 5%[lower-alpha 8]
Beacon Research/Puerto Rico Herald September 14–18, 2020 803 (RV) — 29% 27% 6% 8% 3% 2%[lower-alpha 9] 17%[lower-alpha 8]
Becaon Research/Puerto Rico Herald July 20–26, 2020 802 (V) – 26% 24% 7% 6% 2% 18%[lower-alpha 10] 16%[lower-alpha 11]
El Nuevo Día February 21–25, 2020 1,000 (RV) ± 3.1% 40% 19% 7% 6% 4%[lower-alpha 12] 18%[lower-alpha 13] 6%[lower-alpha 8]

Resident Commissioner
Poll source Date(s)

administered

 Sample

size[lower-alpha 2]

 Margin

of error

 Jenniffer González (PNP-R) Aníbal Acevedo Vilá (PPD-D) Luis Roberto Piñero (PIP) Zayira Jordán Conde (MVC) Ada Norah Henriquez (PD) Other Undecided
Gaither International/El Vocero September 21 – October 6, 2020 2,401 (A) ± 2% 44% 16% 3% 5% 3% 6%[lower-alpha 14] 5%
El Nuevo Día September 19–23, 2020 1,000 (RV) ± 3.1% 43% 33% 6% 11% 1% 1%[lower-alpha 15] 5%[lower-alpha 16]
Becaon Research/Puerto Rico Herald September 14–18, 2020 803 (V) – 51% 18% – 7% 3% 8%[lower-alpha 17] 13%[lower-alpha 18]
Radio Isla/Jorge Benítez July 28–August 3, 2020 983 (LV) ± 2.5% 40% 34% 6% 8% 3% – 9%
Becaon Research/Puerto Rico Herald July 20–26, 2020 802 (V) – 50% 21% – 4% 2% 10%[lower-alpha 19] 12%[lower-alpha 20]

San Juan Mayoralty
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[lower-alpha 2]		 Margin
of error		 Rossana
Lopez (PPD)		 Miguel
Romero (PNP)		 Manuel
Natal (MVC)		 Adrian
Gonzalez (PIP)		 Nelson
Rosario (PD)		 Other Undecided
Beacon Research/Puerto Rico Herald October 13–15, 2020 258 (RV) – 26% 37% 10% 2% 1% 2%[lower-alpha 21] 23%[lower-alpha 22]
Gaither International/El Vocero October 1–7, 2020 500 (V) ± 4% 17% 38% 18% 2% 1% – 24%

Referendum
Poll source Date(s)

administered

 Sample

size[lower-alpha 2]

 Margin

of error

 Yes No Other /

Undecided

Beacon Research/Puerto Rico Herald September 14–18, 2020 803 (V) ± 3.5% 53% 35% 12%[lower-alpha 23]
Beacon Research/Puerto Rico Herald July 20–26, 2020 802 (V) ± 3.5% 54% 33% 14%[lower-alpha 24]

Results

Governorship
2020 Puerto Rico gubernatorial election[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
PNP Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia 427,016 33.24% Decrease8.56
PPD Carlos Delgado Altieri 407,817 31.75% Decrease7.12
Citizens' Victory Alexandra Lúgaro Aponte 179,265 13.95% Increase2.82
PIP Juan Dalmau Ramírez 174,402 13.58% Increase11.45
Project Dignity César Vázquez Muñiz 87,379 6.80% N/A
Independent Eliezer Molina Pérez 8,751 0.68% N/A
Write-in 3,115 0.24% N/A
Total votes 1,287,745 100.00%
Turnout 1,296,169 55.02% Decrease0.43
Registered electors 2,355,894
PNP hold
Democratic gain from Republican

The gubernatorial election was won by Former Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi (PNP/D), narrowly defeating Isabela Mayor Carlos Delgado (PPD/I). The margin of victory was of 1.49%, making it the third closest election in the last 20 years, the former being the 2004 election (0.18%) and the 2012 election (0.7%). In a surprising turn of events, all five parties remained registered, including the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) which had failed to remain registered in the last 4 elections.[16]

Resident Commissioner
2020 United States House of Representatives election in Puerto Rico
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
PNP Jenniffer González (incumbent) 512,697 41.18% Decrease7.59
PPD Aníbal Acevedo Vilá 400,412 32.16% Decrease15.09
Citizens' Victory Zayira Jordán Conde 157,679 12.66% N/A
Project Dignity Ada Norah Henriquez 95,873 7.70% N/A
PIP Luis Roberto Piñero 78,503 6.30% Increase3.61
Majority 112,285 9.02% Increase7.50
Turnout 1,296,169 55.02% Decrease0.06
Registered electors 2,355,894
PNP hold
Republican hold

The Resident Commissioner election was won by Incumbent Resident Commissioner Jennifer Gonzalez (PNP/R), defeating Former Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila (PPD/D) by a wide margin (9.02%). Gonzalez received the most votes out of any candidate. She will become the first female and youngest resident commissioner to be re-elected to her seat.[17]

Senate
Main article: 2020 Puerto Rico Senate election
Parties District At-large Total seats Composition ±%
Votes  % Seats Votes  % Seats
Popular Democratic Party (PPD) 836,889 36.61% 10 378,738 31.26% 2 12
12 / 27
 Increase5
New Progressive Party (PNP) 859,719 37.62% 6 383,766 33.07% 4 10
10 / 27
 Decrease11
Citizen's Victory Movement (MVC) 324,319 14.19% 0 130,065 11.20% 2 2
2 / 27
 Increase2
Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) 205,137 8.98% 0 136,679 11.29% 1 1
1 / 27
 Steady1
Project Dignity (PD) 59,189 2.59% 0 88,716 7.33% 1 1
1 / 27
 Increase1
Independent 0 0% 0 69,810 5.76% 1 1
1 / 27
 Steady1
Total 2,285,253 100.0 16 1,211,126 100.0 11 27

While the New Progressive Party lost their 2/3 majority, the Popular Democratic Party failed to get the 1/2 majority by two seats. This senate will be the most diverse, having at least one senator of each party, including one independent senator.[18][19]

House of Representatives
Main article: 2020 Puerto Rico House of Representatives election
Parties District At-large Total seats Composition ±%
Votes  % Seats Votes  % Seats
Popular Democratic Party (PPD) 460,207 39.13% 24 435,325 36.03% 2 26
26 / 51
 Increase10
New Progressive Party (PNP) 460,484 39.16% 16 408,869 33.84% 5 21
21 / 51
 Decrease13
Citizen's Victory Movement (MVC) 130,993 11.14% 0 154,971 12.83% 2 2
2 / 51
 Increase2
Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) 102,266 8.70% 0 127,577 10.56% 1 1
1 / 51
 Steady1
Project Dignity (PD) 18,790 1.60% 0 81,360 6.73% 1 1
1 / 51
 Increase1
Independent 3,277 0.28% 0 0 0% 0 0
0 / 51
 Steady0
Total 1,176,017 100.0 40 1,208,102 100.0 11 51

The New Progressive Party lost their 2/3 majority and the Popular Democratic Party gained enough seats to receive the 1/2 majority. This House of Representatives will be the most diverse, having at least one representative of each party.[20][21]

Mayoral
Main article: 2020 Puerto Rican municipal elections
PPD PNP PIP MVC PD IND Total
41 37 0 0 0 0 78

The Popular Democratic Party kept the majority of municipalities, but it lowered from 45 to 41. Many incumbent mayors lost their races after years in the position, like Ponce (12 years under PNP) and Humacao (20 years under PPD).[22] The closest race was of Guánica, where both Ismael Rodríguez (PPD)[23] and Edgardo Cruz (Ind)[24] claimed victory. At the end, the Supreme Court confirmed Rodríguez as the winner.[25]

Referendum
Main article: 2020 Puerto Rican status referendum
Choice Votes %
Yes (▲) 655,505 52.52%
No (⬤) 592,671 47.48%
Valid votes 1,248,176 96.82%
Invalid or blank votes 40,959 3.18%
Total votes 1,289,135 100%
Registered voters and turnout 2,355,894 54.72%

The option of Yes won in the referendum, making the third time Statehood wins the majority of votes. The referendum will be non-binding, as the power to grant statehood lies with the United States Congress.[26]

Notes
  1. José Luis Dalmau Santiago is running for an At-Large senatorial seat, but he is the incumbent of the Humacao District seat.
  2. Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  3. Molina (I) with 1%
  4. Would not vote with 3%; Molina (I) and "Someone else" with 1%
  5. Includes "Refused"
  6. "None" with 3%; Molina (I) with 2%; "Other" with 1%
  7. "Other candidate" with 1%; would not vote with 1%
  8. Includes "refused"
  9. Independent Eliezer Molina with 2%, "Someone else" with 4%, "Would not vote" with 3%
  10. Would not vote with 11%; "Someone else" with 7%
  11. Includes "Refused"
  12. Polled as "Candidate of Project Dignity"
  13. "Other candidate" with 11%; would not vote with 7%
  14. "None" with 6%
  15. Would not vote with 1%
  16. Includes "Refused"
  17. Would not vote with 5%; "Someone else" with 3%
  18. Includes "Refused"
  19. Would not vote with 8%; "Someone else" with 2%
  20. Includes "Refused"
  21. "Someone else" with 2%
  22. Includes "Refused"
  23. Would not vote with 4%; "Refused" with 1%; Undecided with 7%
  24. Would not vote with 4%; "Refused" with 2%; Undecided with 8%

    References
    1. "Gobernacion Nuevo Progresista". primarias2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
    2. "Gobernacion Popular". primarias2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
    3. "Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño primer partido en radicar candidaturas". Claridad (in Spanish). December 30, 2019. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
    4. "Meet Alexandra Lúgaro, the Unlikely Independent Candidate Transforming Puerto Rico's Governor's Race". Remezcla. November 7, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
    5. "César Vázquez es el candidato a la gobernación bajo Proyecto Dignidad". Telemundo Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Retrieved August 17, 2020.
    6. "CEE certifica a Eliezer Molina como candidato a la gobernación". Primera Hora. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
    7. "Senadores por acumulacion PNP". primarias2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
    8. "Senadores por Acumulacion PPD". primarias2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
    9. "Representante por acumulacion PNP". primarias2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
    10. "Representante por acumulacion PPD". primarias2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
    11. "Representantes por Distrito PNP". primarias2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
    12. "Representantes por Distrito PPD". primarias2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
    13. "Proclama del plebicito estadidad si o no" (PDF). Comision Estatal de Elecciones. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
    14. "Modelo de Papeleta" (PDF). Comision Estatal de Elecciones. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
    15. Puerto Rico State Commission on Elections
    16. "Gubernatorial Result". elecciones2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
    17. "Resident Commissioner Result". elecciones2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
    18. "At-Large Senate Result". elecciones2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
    19. "District Senate Result". elecciones2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
    20. "At-Large House of Representatives Result". elecciones2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
    21. "District House of Representatives Result". elecciones2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
    22. "Una mirada al cambio en las alcaldías". www.noticel.com (in Spanish). Retrieved November 9, 2020.
    23. Collazo, Fernando A. "Candidato del PPD reclama que ganó en el recuento por la alcaldía de Guánica". Metro (in Spanish). Retrieved July 23, 2021.
    24. "Comisionado del PNP asegura Edgardo Cruz ganó la elección de Guánica por nueve votos". Telemundo Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Retrieved July 23, 2021.
    25. VOCERO, Melissa Correa Velázquez, EL. "Ismael "Tití" Rodríguez permanecerá como alcalde de Guánica". El Vocero de Puerto Rico (in Spanish). Retrieved July 23, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
    26. "Referendum Result". elecciones2020.ceepur.org. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
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