reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973 - Celebration

A referendum shall be held on August 19, 2012, in which a proposal shall be submitted to the People of Puerto Rico so they may vote to amend Sections 2, 3, and 7 of Article III of the Constitution of Puerto Rico in order to reduce the number of legislators in the Legislative Assembly.
The State Election Commission shall notify the referendum through a proclamation, which shall be published at least ninety (90) days in advance of such referendum, in three (3) newspapers of general circulation in Puerto Rico.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973a - Design and printing of ballots

The State Election Commission shall design and print the ballot to be used, both in English and Spanish, which shall be of uniform size, printed in black ink, and on thick paper so that the print does not show through on the reverse. The State Election Commission shall adapt the ballot to the electronic canvassing mechanisms that are available on the date the referendum is held. The following shall appear on the ballot:
On the upper left side, the phrase “Official Ballot” shall be printed in upper-case letters, the official logo of the State Election Commission shall be printed in the center, and the word “Referendum” shall appear in upper-case letters in the upper right side. In the next line, the date of Sunday, August 19, 2012, shall be centralized and printed in upper-case letters. Below this, and across the ballot, the following shall be printed: “Referendum to amend the Constitution in order to reduce the number of members of the Legislative Assembly.”
Below this, a thick black line shall be printed across the ballot.
Below the line, the following shall be printed:
“If the amendment is approved, the number of legislators in the Legislative Assembly shall be reduced from 78 to 56 members. Specifically, the number of Senators shall be reduced from 27 to 17, and the number of representatives from 51 to 39. To achieve this reduction in the number of legislators, the senate districts shall be increased from 8 to 11, and the representative districts shall be reduced from 40 to 33. Parallel to this reduction in legislators, the total number of members of a party or of minority parties in the Senate shall be reduced from 9 to 6 and in the House of Representatives from 17 to 13.”
Below this, a thick black line shall be printed across the ballot.
Below said text, the ballot shall be divided in two columns.
The left column shall read as follows:
“Mark only one alternative:”
Below, in the left column, the following shall be printed:
“I favor the amendment to the Constitution of Puerto Rico to reduce the number of legislators in the Legislative Assembly.”
Next to the foregoing, in the right column, the following shall be printed:
“Yes” followed by a box for the voter to make his mark.
Below that, “No” shall be printed, followed by a box for the voter to make his mark.
Below this, a thick black line shall be printed across the ballot.
Below said line, the text of the sections to be amended if the proposal for amendment is approved shall appear, pursuant to Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 35.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973b - Procedures

The State Election Commission shall be responsible for organizing, directing, implementing, and supervising the referendum procedures set forth herein, as well as any other functions conferred thereto by virtue of this chapter.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973c - Information and orientation campaign

The State Election Commission shall conduct an information and orientation campaign for duly qualified voters with respect to the contents of the proposed amendment being submitted to vote, the manner in which the ballot shall be marked to consign the vote therein, and to urge voters to register and participate in the process, using all the communications media and public broadcasting techniques within its reach. Said campaign shall begin not less than sixty (60) days before the holding of the Referendum. As part of its information and orientation phase, this campaign shall reproduce in the media the complete text of the proposed amendment to the Constitution. The State Election Commission shall also publish, at least once, in all newspapers of general circulation, the complete text of the proposed amendment as determined and agreed on by the Sixteenth Legislative Assembly through Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 35. Copies of the proposed amendment to the Constitution of Puerto Rico shall be available on the day of the referendum in the electoral units.
All funds used pursuant to this chapter for information and orientation campaigns shall be for the exclusive use of the State Election Commission. No political party, group, or individual shall receive public funds from those provided in this chapter to provide information and orientation to voters.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973d - Absentee or early voting

Voters who are, pursuant to §§ 4001 et seq. of this title (hereinafter, the “Election Code”), entitled to absentee or early vote may exercise said right in accordance with the procedures adopted by the State Election Commission for the 2012 General Election.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973e - Voting rules

The State Election Commission shall adopt the rules for the Referendum at least sixty (60) days before the same. Any amendment proposed to these regulations shall be set forth before the Commission by one of the Election Commissioners and shall be approved by a majority of votes of the Commissioners present at the time of the voting. Any amendment submitted to the consideration of the State Election Commission that does not obtain a unanimous vote shall be decided, in favor or against, by the President, whose decision shall be deemed to be the decision of the State Election Commission, and may be appealed in the manner provided in the Election Code. Provided, that any amendment made during the last twenty (20) days before voting, and until the end of the canvassing, shall be approved by the unanimous vote of the Election Commissioners.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973f - Order and security

On the day of the Referendum, the Puerto Rico Police shall provide sufficient regular personnel to ensure that public order is maintained.
In those municipalities in which there are Municipal Police Corps, the latter shall collaborate with the Puerto Rico Police in maintaining order and security in the polling places.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973g - Delivery of voter lists and closures

The State Election Commission shall determine the time for the delivery of voter lists and for the closing thereof. The date the Electoral Register shall ultimately close shall never be more than fifty (50) days prior to the date the Referendum is held. The State Election Commission shall provide measures and remedies to guarantee the right to vote of any voter who is unduly excluded from the Electoral Register for reasons not attributable to him/her.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973h - Certification

The President of the State Election Commission shall send a certification of the results of the Referendum to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and to the Secretary of State not later than forty-eight (48) hours after the end of general canvassing.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973i - Will of the People defined

It shall be understood that the People of Puerto Rico have expressed their will in favor or against the amendment proposed herein based on the majority of valid votes cast separately in favor or against the proposed amendment.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973j - Preservation of ballots and tally sheets

The State Election Commission shall keep all ballots and tally sheets related to the Referendum for a term of at least ninety (90) days as of the certification of the results, after which they may be destroyed, unless there is a judicial recourse pending, in which case they shall be kept until a final and binding judgment is rendered.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973k - Materials and equipment

For purposes of the voting and canvassing needed to carry out the referendum enabled by this chapter, the President of the State Election Commission is hereby authorized to order the purchase or leasing of printed material, machinery, and equipment directly from the suppliers without the intervention of the procurement and supplies services of the General Services Administration. Likewise, the President of the State Election Commission is authorized to contract the use of electronic or any other type of devices in order to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
It shall be the obligation of the Government of Puerto Rico, its agencies, instrumentalities, municipalities, public corporations, and the subsidiary corporations thereof, to lend to the State Election Commission, free of charge, for its use during a reasonable term and provided the public activities carried out therewith are not unduly hindered, the office equipment or other mechanic, electronic, or transportation equipment, as well as personnel or other resources at their disposal that are necessary to appropriately carry out the duties that this chapter imposes on the State Election Commission.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973l - Opening of facilities

The regulations regarding the opening of propaganda distribution facilities shall be governed by §§ 4095, 4232, and 4234 of this title.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973m - Contributions and expenditures

Political parties, bona fide citizen groups, and political action committees may receive contributions and incur expenditures to campaign for this referendum. The provisions of the Puerto Rico Political Campaign Financing Oversight Act shall be applicable to the expenditures incurred and contributions received by political parties, bona fide citizen groups, and political action committees.
However, the funds raised for this referendum by the political parties shall not be counted towards the matching fund established in §§ 629-629n of this title, known as the “Puerto Rico Political Campaign Financing Oversight Act”. The funds raised by the political parties for this referendum shall be deposited in a separate account in which only said funds shall be deposited, and shall be exclusively used for expenditures related to the campaign for this referendum.
For purposes of the aggregate established in § 625b of this title2, this referendum shall be considered a special election.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973n - Media outlets

The regulations on media outlets shall be governed by the provisions of the Puerto Rico Political Campaign Financing Oversight Act, §§ 621 et seq. of this title.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973o - Applicability provisions

The provisions on prohibitions and crimes established in the Election Code applicable to the holding of the referendum provided in this chapter shall govern in full force and effect. The funds raised for this referendum shall not be used for the political campaigns of future general elections.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973p - Violations

Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter, upon conviction thereof, shall be sanctioned with the penalty of imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or with a fine that shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500), or both penalties at the discretion of the court.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 18.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 73 - Enabling Act Referendum on the Legislative Reform of 2012 (§§ 973 — 973q) › § 973q - Savings

Any savings generated by the reduction of legislative seats shall not revert to the budget of operating expenses of the Legislative Assembly, but rather be destined for the benefit of the People of Puerto Rico. Specifically, these savings shall be used to defray educational and health services for needy and indigent youth, and for the payment of wages and labor obligations of members of the Puerto Rico Police, as provided in Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 35.
History —Jan. 9, 2012, No. 12, § 20.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1321 - Short title

This chapter shall be known as the “Compulsory Presidential Primaries Act” and shall have the character and nature of an electoral law.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 1; Oct. 3, 1983, No. 34, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1323 - Holding of primaries

Each year in which the President of the United States is to be elected, a presidential primary shall be held in Puerto Rico to allow electors to express their preference regarding candidates for nomination to the presidency of the United States by national parties that have an affiliated political party.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 3; Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 5, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1324 - Date for holding primaries

The presidential primary of the Republican Party shall be held the last Sunday in February of the year in which the presidential elections are to be held in the United States, as long as they are not held before nor coinciding with the celebration of the presidential primary in the State of New Hampshire. If such a conflict exists at any time, then the presidential primaries shall be held the first Sunday in March. The presidential primaries of the Democratic Party shall be held the first Sunday in June of that same year. If an affiliated political party opts for the alternative of holding an Assembly as is set forth in § 1350 of this title, such an Assembly shall be held on the aforementioned dates.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 4; Oct. 3, 1983, No. 34, p. 448, § 4; February 28, 1992, No. 2, § 1; July 15, 1995, No. 77, § 1; June 30, 1999, No. 137, § 1; July 17, 2003, No. 163, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1325 - Electors

Every person qualified to vote in the general election in Puerto Rico pursuant to the Electoral Act shall be entitled to vote in the presidential primaries of the national party of his choice, held pursuant to this chapter. Every elector who wishes to exercise the electoral right provided in this chapter shall do so in the congressional district and precinct in which he is registered. The affiliated political parties may provide affiliation forms to be completed by the elector at the time he is to cast his vote.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1326 - Registration of affiliated political party

No later than December 1 of the year immediately preceding the year in which the election of the President of the United States of America is to be held, every affiliated political party entitle to select delegates and alternate delegates to the national nominating conventions shall be registered as such in Puerto Rico, by filing petitions for registration before the Chairman of the Commonwealth Elections Commission a number equal to five percent (5%) of the total number of votes cast for the office of Governor of Puerto Rico in the general election immediately preceding the date on which the registration is to be held unless they have not previously complied with this requirement as specified in this chapter and have been certified as such by the Commonwealth Elections Commission.
Five percent (5%) of the petitions for registration may be signed by electors from any of the Congressional Districts.
These must be subscribed before a notary public by qualified electors of Puerto Rico, and shall bear the name and address of the elector who signs them. The notaries shall not be compensated from public funds for doing this.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 6; Oct. 3, 1983, No. 34, p. 448, § 5, eff. Jan. 1, 1985.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1327 - Central governing body and filing of regulations

Every affiliated political party shall have a central governing body that shall adopt and file regulations for the affiliated political party in question no later than December 1st of the year immediately preceding the year in which the presidential primaries are to be held, in which said party shall participate pursuant to this chapter.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1328 - Certificate of affiliation

Each affiliated political party shall file evidence before the Administrator, within the term provided in § 1326 of this title, that certifies that it has been recognized as an affiliate of the national party in question in Puerto Rico. Provided, That after this requirement and the registration procedure provided above have been complied with, the affiliated political party in question shall not subsequently be obliged to be registered as such, provided it preserves its standing as an affiliate of a national party.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1329 - Name and insignia of affiliated political party

Every affiliated political party registered pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall file its name and insignia before the Administrator no later than December 1st of the year prior to the year that the President of the United States is to be elected through the procedures prescribed by law or regulations. Such name and insignia shall constitute its official recognition and shall be printed in the center of the upper margin of the ballots of the party in question at any presidential election or primary in which said party may participate pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
Everything related to the adoption, change, determination or alteration of any name or insignia of an affiliated political party shall be governed by the provisions of Sections 3.023, 3.024, 3.025 and 3.026 of Title III of the Electoral Law.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1330 - Aspirants to nomination as presidential candidate

No later than sixty (60) days prior to the holding of presidential primaries, the Secretary of State of Puerto Rico shall determine and prepare a list of the names of the candidates [who aspire] to nomination for President of the United States for any of the national parties and each one of them shall be notified of their inclusion in said list by certified mail, with return receipt requested. The names of each of the candidates included in the list shall appear on the ballot as presidential candidate, unless said person certifies, no later than thirty (30) days prior to the holding of presidential primaries, in writing, to the Secretary of State that he/she will not, nor has the intention to be a presidential candidate. No later than twenty-eight (28) days prior to the holding of presidential primaries, the Secretary of State shall notify the names of the persons that will appear on the ballot as presidential candidates to the president of the affiliated political party, the president of the national party in question and the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Election Commission.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 10; Oct. 3, 1983, No. 34, p. 448, § 6; Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 5, § 3; July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 2; Feb. 28, 1992, No. 2, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1331 - Notification of delegates

No later than December 15 of the year prior to the date the primaries provided in this chapter are to be held, each affiliated political party shall file before the Administrator an official certification by the chief authority of the national party in question, certifying the number of delegates and alternate delegates to the national nominating convention that each affiliated political party shall be entitled to elect.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1332 - Filing of candidacies

Every group of candidates for delegate or alternate delegate that wish to appear on the ballot as a group must file its candidacy before the presidents of the affiliated political parties, with a copy to the Chairman of the Commonwealth Election Commission, stating their names, addresses, electoral precinct and senatorial district in which he resides, the name of the presidential candidate to whom he wishes to be committed or, in the case of an uncommitted group, the name of the candidate to delegate under whose name the group wishes to appear, in addition to any other information that by law or regulation is required, no later than thirty (30) days prior to the holding of the presidential primary.
Every person who wishes to appear as an individual candidate for delegate or alternate delegate and not as group must file a petition before the presidents of his affiliated political party no later than thirty (30) days prior to the holding of the presidential primary as candidate for alternate delegate in which he shall state his name, address, electoral precinct and senatorial district in which he resides in addition to any other information that by law or regulation is required. When the rules and regulations of the National Party require it, he shall also consign his condition of commitment to an aspirant to the presidential candidacy, or his noncommitment.
The Chairman of the Commonwealth Election Commission shall remit to the corresponding presidential candidate, by certified mail and acknowledgement of receipt, the names and addresses of the groups and individuals who wish to aspire committed to such presidential candidate within the two (2) days following the last date for filing candidacies for delegate or alternate delegate. The presidential candidate to whom this information has been remitted must notify the list of candidates he approves of, by certified mail and acknowledgement of receipt, to the Chairman of the Commonwealth Election Commission no later than two (2) days after receiving it. The presidential candidate shall approve a list of no more than the number of alternate delegates that should be selected in each respective senatorial district. If no reply or refusal of a specific person is received from the presidential candidate, it shall be understood that the candidate approves the list submitted.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 12; Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 5, § 4; July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1333 - Balloting

The Presidential Primaries established in this chapter shall consist of one balloting in one single ballot where electors shall express their preference for the aspirant to the presidential candidacy of the National Party of which they are bona fide members and a ballot to elect delegates and alternate delegates to the National Nominating Convention. The result of the expression of preference for the presidential candidate shall not affect the election of delegates or alternate delegates.
The balloting in said primaries will be carried out through the open-poll system, and in separate places for each of the national parties participating therein. The primaries shall be held according to the applicable provisions of Act No. 4 of December 20, 1977, with due guarantees at all times, of the elector’s right to equal, direct, free and secret suffrage, using the identification card provided in Act No. 4 of December 20, 1977.
Only one electoral list shall be used to identify the electors in which the preference of the elector must be specified as to the national party for which he plans to vote.
No person shall participate and/or vote in the nomination process for presidential candidates of one national party who has also participated in the nomination process of any other national party for the corresponding election.
All electors shall certify under oath that he/she has not participated, nor shall participate in any electoral process regarding the selection of presidential candidates or delegates to national nominating conventions for the same presidential election of a national party other than the one he/she plans to vote [in]. This oath shall be taken by a polling-place official duly certified by an electoral representative and shall constitute a certification for the purposes of Section 225 of Act No. 115 of July 25, 1974, known as “Penal Code of Puerto Rico”.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 13; Oct. 3, 1983, No. 34, p. 448, § 7; renumbered as § 18 and amended on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 5, § 11; renumbered as § 17 and amended on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 8; Feb. 28, 1992, No. 2, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1336 - Balloting at nominating convention

Delegates and alternate delegates should be bound to endorse in the first balloting at the national nominating convention the aspirant to the presidential nomination for which they were selected and also duly certified for that right by the Chairman of the Commonwealth Elections Commission.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 16, renumbered as § 20 and amended on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 5, § 14; renumbered as § 19 on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1337 - Delegates at large

The adjudication methods of the delegates elected shall be governed by the regulations of the national parties and the standards to be adopted in accordance thereto.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 17, renumbered as § 19 and amended on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 5, § 13; renumbered as § 18 and amended on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1338 - Alternate selection methods

Every affiliated political party that selects delegates to the national nominating conventions by alternate methods to primaries, by assembly, convention, caucus or other method which involves the participation of citizens shall hold the selection process on the same date, and beginning at the same time that the voting takes place in the presidential primary. No other assemblies, conventions, caucuses or other processes for the selection of delegates to the national nominating conventions may be held on another date or beginning at another hour.
Every affiliated political party that holds a primary, assembly, convention, caucus or other method which involves the participation of citizens to select the delegates to the national nominating conventions must keep a registry of all the electors that participate in these assemblies, conventions or caucuses.
The electoral representatives of the affiliated political parties shall be responsible for keeping in the register, the name, address, electoral precinct and the senatorial district of residence of all electors that participate in the alternate voting processes, or in the presidential primaries.
The affiliated political party in question shall certify and notify the Chairman of the Commonwealth Election Commission of the register of electors who participated in the alternate selection process, or in the presidential primaries, no later than the first Monday of the month of April.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 18, renumbered as § 13 and amended on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 5, § 5; July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1340 - Ballots

The design, preparation and printing of the ballots shall be the responsibility of the Chairman of the Commonwealth Election Commission who will discharge it in such a way as to ensure faithful compliance with any criteria required by the national party’s regulations, rules or provisions. The ballots shall be designed in such a way that they provide the opportunity to vote for groups of delegates or alternate delegates, or for individual candidates as delegates or alternate delegates.
Separate ballots shall be prepared for each national party participating in presidential primaries, and they shall be used in separate polling places for each party.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 20, renumbered as § 15 and amended on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 448, § 8; renumbered as § 14 and amended on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1342 - Presidential preference ballot

On the ballot corresponding to the election, to express each elector’s preference regarding the presidential nominee of the party of his choice, the names of the presidential candidates for the corresponding national party who have fulfilled the requirements provided herein and in the rules and regulations of the party in question shall be shown in the proper order resulting from a lottery to be held by the Chairman.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 22, renumbered as § 16 and amended on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 448, § 10; renumbered as § 15 on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1343 - Electoral process

Everything related to the electoral process, distribution of electoral material, designation of polling place officials, challenging of electors, and others connected with the general presidential primary process provided herein shall be governed by the applicable provisions of the Electoral Act if they are not in conflict with this chapter.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 23, renumbered as § 17 on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 448, § 11; renumbered as § 16 on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1344 - Canvassing of votes

After the election is held as provided by law, the Chairman of the Commonwealth Elections Commission in coordination with the electoral representative of the national party concerned shall canvass the votes. When it has been concluded, but no later than fifteen (15) days after the date on which the primaries were held, the Chairman of the Commonwealth Elections Commission shall notify the central directing body in Puerto Rico of the affiliated political party in question, the Secretary of the Department of State, the president of the national party in question and all the candidates who have appeared on the ballot of the outcome of the presidential primaries in terms of absolute numbers. He shall also certify, within the aforementioned period, the persons who have been elected as delegates and alternate delegates, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the affiliated political party.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 24; Oct. 3, 1983, No. 34, p. 5, § 8; renumbered as § 21 on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 448, § 15; renumbered as § 20 on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1345 - Balloting at national nominating convention

No delegate is obliged to cast his vote on the first ballot at his national party’s nominating convention for the aspirant to the presidential candidacy to whom he was committed on the ballot if, prior to such balloting, the candidate dies, or withdraws his candidacy for any reason or when he relieves the delegates from the obligation of voting for him.
In any of the aforementioned circumstances, the delegation shall cast its votes on the first ballot and subsequent ballots according to what is provided for such cases in the regulations of the affiliated political party in question.
Said rules must be compatible with the rules and regulations of the national party in question, and must be filed before the Administrator not later than December 15 of the year prior to the presidential election.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 25, renumbered as § 22 on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 448, § 15; renumbered as § 21 on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1346 - Power to implement this chapter

The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Election Commission shall have the responsibility of carrying out any activity, procedure and duty needed to implement this chapter, pursuant to the powers conferred upon him by Act No. 4 of December 20, 1977. For such purposes, he/she shall adopt the rules and regulations needed for its implementation, issue orders, adopt resolutions and determinations, and may delegate to his assistants the execution thereof.
Provided, That any orders, rules, regulations or resolutions that are adopted for such purposes must be compatible with the applicable provisions of said act and the national party regulations.
Any rule that an affiliate political party agrees [to] with its national party, including the plan for the selection of delegates, that is in conflict with this chapter, shall prevail over the same, [except] that regarding the date for the holding of the Presidential Primaries established in § 1324 of this title, which shall prevail over any regulation, rule or plan of any affiliate political party.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 26; Oct. 3, 1983, No. 34, p. 5, § 9; renumbered as § 23 on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 448, § 15; renumbered as § 22 on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 10; Feb. 28, 1992, No. 2, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1347 - Delegation of duties

When, for any reason, the Chairman of the Commonwealth Elections Commission has to attend to any other electoral affair provided by law, or for any other justified reason is prevented from discharging, in whole or in part, the duties and obligations conferred upon him by this chapter, the person designated by the simple majority of the central directing body of the affiliated political party in question, or in its defect, the person designated by the corresponding body of the national party in question for this purpose, shall substitute for him in said duties. Provided, That the procedures, requirements, rules and provisions of this chapter shall be fulfilled at all times. Every procedure, determination, decision or action carried out or put into effect by the Chairman of the Commonwealth Elections Commission prior to being prevented from continuing to implement this chapter shall be valid and binding on the person who replaces him for such purpose.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 27; Oct. 3, 1983, No. 34, p. 5, § 10; renumbered as § 24 on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 448, § 15; renumbered as § 23 on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1348 - Electoral representative

Every affiliated political party shall be entitled to designate electoral representatives and alternate electoral representatives to conduct their electoral affairs before the Chairman of the Commonwealth Election Commission.
Said representatives shall be selected as provided by the regulations of the affiliated political party they represent and shall be persons of good moral reputation, duly qualified electors, shall have resided in Puerto Rico during the four (4) years prior to their designation and shall be knowledgeable about electoral affairs.
The alternate representatives shall carry out the duties of the representatives in case of absence, disability, resignation, death, removal from office by the political party in question, or when for any other reason the position becomes vacant, and until the electoral representative returns to his duties or a new designation is made.
Every presidential candidate shall appoint his electoral representative through designation which shall be filed before the Commonwealth Elections Commission and the Secretary of the affiliated party. In each stage of the balloting and canvassing procedures all the candidates shall be entitled to be duly represented according to the provisions of the Puerto Rico Electoral Act.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 28; Oct. 3, 1983, No. 34, p. 5, § 11; renumbered as § 25 on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 448, § 15; renumbered as § 24 and amended on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1349 - Political contributions

When the national nominating convention selection process for the delegates, presidential candidates, or both, is to be defrayed with public funds, all contributions to the candidates for delegates, delegates, block of delegates or groups that intervene in behalf of or against a candidacy for delegate shall be addressed pursuant to the limits and obligations on the rendering of reports set forth by Act No. 4 of December 20, 1977.
Understanding that affiliated political parties ordinarily do not intervene in behalf of nor against any candidate for delegate during the Presidential Primaries; even if the event is subsidized with public funds, said affiliated political parties shall not be subject to the limits or obligations of the Puerto Rico Electoral Act. However, if said affiliated political parties do intervene in behalf of or against any candidate for delegate during the Presidential Primaries, then same would indeed be subject to the limits and obligations of the Puerto Rico Electoral Act.
In any intervention of the affiliated political parties that is not authorized by this chapter in electoral processes set forth by law and entrusted to the Commonwealth Elections Commission, same shall be bound to observe the limits and render reports as set forth in Act No. 4 of November 20, 1977, as amended. In any other case which is not set forth by said Act, the financial activities of the affiliated political parties shall be governed by the provisions set forth by the federal laws applicable to political campaigns for candidacies.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 29, renumbered as § 26 on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 448, § 15; renumbered as § 25 on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 12; July 17, 2003, No. 163, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1350 - Income and expenses report

Those who are bound to abide by the financial limits and render reports as set forth in § 1349 of this title shall render the first report fifteen (15) days after the public funds for the defrayment of the electoral event are authorized. The President of the Commonwealth Elections Commission shall set forth the date of the subsequent report, the last being not longer than fifteen (15) days after the event is held.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 30; Oct. 3, 1983, No. 34, p. 5, § 12; renumbered as § 27 on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 448, § 15; renumbered as § 26 on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 12; July 17, 2003, No. 163, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1351 - Prohibitions and penalties

Any person who is guilty of any of the actions forbidden by the applicable sections of the Electoral Act, regarding the implementation of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be punished with the same penalties provided in said sections.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 31, renumbered as § 28 on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 448, § 15; renumbered as § 27 on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 3 - Primaries (§§ 1001 — 1353) › Chapter 115 - Compulsory Presidential Primaries (1979 Act) › § 1352 - Interpretation of results of presidential primaries

Whenever the presidential primary procedures are administered and enforced from the beginning until their completion by the Chairman of the Commonwealth Elections Commission, neither the number of participants, nor the outcome of any other element of the primary process and/or the other procedures carried out pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may be officially interpreted by the Government of Puerto Rico for any purpose whatsoever as an indicator in relation to the preferences that our people or a sector thereof have, or may have, regarding the political status issue, nor regarding the direction, if any, that Puerto Rico should or may follow, in terms of changes in its present status.
History —Sept. 24, 1979, No. 6, p. 997, § 32; Oct. 3, 1983, No. 34, p. 5, § 13; renumbered as § 29 on Mar. 15, 1984, No. 2, p. 448, § 15; renumbered as § 28 on July 2, 1987, No. 89, p. 347, § 12.