reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 69 - Puerto Rico Presidential Election Act (2000) › Subchapter III - Voting, Canvassing, and Election by Presidential Electors (§§ 961k — 961w) › § 961s - Voting at the polling place

The provisions of the Electoral Law and the regulatory standards adopted for the implementation thereof shall apply in all matters not incompatible with the provisions of this chapter, to the voting processes at the polling places and to the incidences occurring during the course thereof. Should a voter refuse to accept the presidential ballot, the polling inspectors shall make it null and void by striking a line across the spaces provided for the mark of the voter, write the initials “NR” and sign the same on its front. At the closing of the polling places, the polling inspectors shall note in the incidence report the total number of ballots rendered null and void for this reason.
History —Sept. 10, 2000, No. 403, § 3.9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 69 - Puerto Rico Presidential Election Act (2000) › Subchapter III - Voting, Canvassing, and Election by Presidential Electors (§§ 961k — 961w) › § 961t - Canvassing

Polling places shall begin their canvassing process with the presidential ballots, before they open the ballot boxes for the canvassing of the ballots to vote for the offices of Governor and Resident Commissioner, legislators, and mayors.
The results of said canvassing shall be recorded in a “Presidential Election Polling Place Canvassing Report” upon completion of the report, and only then, shall the canvassing of the remaining ballots be undertaken.
The Presidential Election Report shall be delivered to the Electoral Unit Board, so that the Board may complete the voting tally of all the polling places in its unit.
The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Elections Commission and the electoral representatives of the candidates shall provide the way and manner in which the canvassing processes are to be conducted through regulations to that effect and pursuant to the provisions of the Electoral Law and this chapter.
History —Sept. 10, 2000, No. 403, § 3.10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 69 - Puerto Rico Presidential Election Act (2000) › Subchapter III - Voting, Canvassing, and Election by Presidential Electors (§§ 961k — 961w) › § 961u - Presidential election returns

Each vote cast for a presidential or vice presidential candidate whose name appears on the ballot shall be counted as a vote cast in favor of all presidential electors designated by said candidate.
The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Elections Commission shall report the preliminary results not later than seventy-two (72) hours after the date of the election, which constitute neither a formal nor informal certification of any of the candidates.
History —Sept. 10, 2000, No. 403, § 3.11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 69 - Puerto Rico Presidential Election Act (2000) › Subchapter III - Voting, Canvassing, and Election by Presidential Electors (§§ 961k — 961w) › § 961v - General canvassing and certification of returns

The Commonwealth Elections Commission shall establish the appropriate norms and measures for the general canvassing of the presidential ballots to be completed before the date the Electoral College is convened, for the electors of the states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to vote for the candidates running for the offices of President and Vice President of the United States of America.
Upon the conclusion of the general canvassing of the presidential ballots, the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Elections Commission shall issue a certificate of the election results to the President of the United States, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States, the Governor of Puerto Rico, and the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico. In said certificate, the name of the presidential and vice presidential candidates whose presidential electors have received the greatest number of votes shall be stated. The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Elections Commission shall issue a certificate of election to each presidential elector who has been elected, certificate which he/she shall present on the day the Electoral College is convened.
History —Sept. 10, 2000, No. 403, § 3.12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 69 - Puerto Rico Presidential Election Act (2000) › Subchapter III - Voting, Canvassing, and Election by Presidential Electors (§§ 961k — 961w) › § 961w - Voting by the presidential electors

The Monday following the second Wednesday of December of the year in which the presidential election is to be held, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico, shall convene the presidential electors of Puerto Rico, pursuant to the certificate issued by the Chairperson of the Commonwealth Elections Commission. Said presidential electors shall cast their vote by secret ballot in favor of the United States presidential and vice presidential candidates whom they represent.
For the purposes of the presidential election, the Electoral College shall be established in the Capitol of Puerto Rico. The voting and canvassing processes corresponding to the election of November 7, 2000, shall be directed by the President of the Senate on the floor of said body and henceforth, every four (4) years; the direction and holding of said process shall be alternated between each legislative body and its presiding official. The members of both bodies may be present as observers during the voting and canvassing process.
The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico shall conduct the processes pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution of the United States and federal laws, and shall certify the returns in the form and manner established therein.
History —Sept. 10, 2000, No. 403, § 3.13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 69 - Puerto Rico Presidential Election Act (2000) › Subchapter IV - Final Provisions (§§ 961x — 961z) › § 961x - Violation of the presidential election laws

Every person who acts in contravention of any of the provisions of this chapter, or who having an obligation imposed by it, willfully fails to comply with it, or refuses to do so, shall incur an electoral crime and upon conviction thereof, shall be sanctioned with a penalty of imprisonment which shall not exceed six (6) months, or a fine which shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500), or both penalties at the discretion of the court.
History —Sept. 10, 2000, No. 403, § 4.1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 69 - Puerto Rico Presidential Election Act (2000) › Subchapter IV - Final Provisions (§§ 961x — 961z) › § 961y - Prohibitions and penalties

In addition to the prohibitions and penalties set forth in this chapter, the provisions on prohibitions and crimes established in Sections 8.002 to 8.027 of the Electoral Law shall apply in full force and effect.
History —Sept. 10, 2000, No. 403, § 4.2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 69 - Puerto Rico Presidential Election Act (2000) › Subchapter IV - Final Provisions (§§ 961x — 961z) › § 961z - Construction

The results of the voting under this chapter and the number of participants therein shall not be construed as a statement for or against any political status formula, or as tending to otherwise modify the political relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States of America.
Should there be any incompatibility between the Spanish and English versions of this chapter, the English version shall prevail for construction purposes.
History —Sept. 10, 2000, No. 403, § 4.4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971 - Celebration

A referendum shall be held on July 10, 2005, in which a proposal shall be submitted for the People of Puerto Rico to vote in order to express their preference with respect to the use of either the Bicameral or the Unicameral System in the Legislature of Puerto Rico. The Commonwealth Elections Commission shall announce the Referendum by means of a proclamation to be published not less than sixty (60) days in advance of the Referendum in four (4) newspapers of general circulation in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971a - Design and printing of ballots

The proposals shall be submitted for qualified voters of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to express their preference in a ballot of uniform size, printed in black ink and on thick paper, so that the print does not show through on the reverse. The Commonwealth Elections Commission shall design and print the ballots to be used, which shall include, at least, the following information:
In the upper left of the ballot, the phrase “ Papeleta Oficial ” shall be printed in upper case, the official logo of the Commonwealth Elections Commission in the center, and the word “ Referéndum ” in upper case in the upper right. The date of July 10, 2005, shall be printed in the next line under the logo of the Commonwealth Elections Commission. Below, the following shall be printed across the ballot:
“ REFERENDUM SOBRE PREFERENCIA ENTRE SI LA ASAMBLEA LEGISLATIVA DEBE PERMANECER COMPUESTA POR DOS CAMARAS O SI DEBE CAMBIAR A UNA SOLA CAMARA ”.
Two (2) columns shall be printed underneath. The following sentence shall be printed on the top part of the first column:
“ FAVOREZCO SE CAMBIE LA ASAMBLEA LEGISLATIVA A UNA SOLA CAMARA ”.
The following sentence shall be printed on the top part of the second column:
“ FAVOREZCO SE MANTENGA LA ASAMBLEA LEGISLATIVA COMPUESTA POR DOS CAMARAS ”.
A rectangular box for the voter’s mark that shall form a vertical column shall be printed below each of the preceding sentences. Said two (2) columns shall be parallel and of equal size. The following instructions to the voters on how to cast their vote shall be printed on the bottom of the ballot: “ UN VOTO A FAVOR DEL NUMERO 1 SIGNIFICARA UN MANDATO A LA ASAMBLEA LEGISLATIVA PARA QUE SE CELEBRE UN REFERNDUM EL NUEVE (9) DE JULIO DE 2007 CON EL FIN DE PROPONER AL ELECTORADO QUE SE ENMIENDE LA CONSTITUCION DEL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO, DE FORMA TAL QUE A PARTIR DEL DOS (2) DE ENERO DE 2009 LA ASAMBLEA LEGISLATIVA DE PUERTO RICO EST CONSTITUIDA POR UNA SOLA CAMARA. SIGNIFICARA ADEMAS, QUE LA PROPUESTA DE ENMIENDA A LA CONSTITUCION DEL ESTADO LIBRE ASOCIADO DE PUERTO RICO SE PRESENTARA MEDIANTE EL REFERNDUM DISPUESTO EN LA SECCION 1 DEL ARTICULO VII DE LA CONSTITUCION Y NO POR LO DISPUESTO EN LA SECCION 2 DE DICHO ARTICULO. UN VOTO A FAVOR DEL NUMERO 2 SIGNIFICARA UN MANDATO A LA ASAMBLEA LEGISLATIVA PARA QUE SE MANTENGA A LA RAMA LEGISLATIVA DE DOS CAMARAS ”.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971b - Procedure

The Commonwealth Elections Commission shall be responsible for organizing, directing, implementing and supervising the referendum procedures set forth herein, and for any other functions conferred upon it by virtue of this chapter.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971c - Provisions—Application

Act No. 4 of December 20, 1977, known as the “Puerto Rico Electoral Act”, and the regulations approved by virtue thereof, unless they are incompatible with the provisions of this chapter or the regulations adopted hereunder, shall be deemed as supplemental to this chapter and its provisions shall apply to all procedures related to holding the Referendum, in all matters necessary, pertinent and compatible with the purposes of this chapter and for which no other system has been provided. The Commonwealth Elections Commission shall have the authority to adopt the regulations or resolutions necessary to carry out said procedure and to comply with the purposes of this chapter in an efficient and impartial manner. Moreover, the established local electoral entities shall carry out the functions proper to their responsibilities according to the special characteristics of this Referendum.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971d - Elegible voters

The voters who are duly qualified as such, pursuant to the Electoral Law, shall be entitled to vote in the referendum provided by this chapter. The Commonwealth Elections Commission shall include in the list of voters on the referendum all active voters in the General Register of Voters as of the date of approval of this act, those voters that as of July 10, 2005, have reached the age of 18, and those voters who register or become active as such on the date of the last Electoral Register closure, pursuant to § 971k of this title. The presentation of the Puerto Rico Electoral Identification Card and finger inking during the voting process shall be required pursuant to the Electoral Law.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971e - Information and orientation campaign

The Commonwealth Elections Commission shall prepare an information and orientation campaign for Puerto Rican voters with respect to the contents of the proposals regarding the Unicameral System and the Bicameral System for the Legislature which are being submitted to vote, the manner in which the ballot shall be marked to consign the vote therein, and to urge the 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 prior to the Referendum.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971f - Participation—Political parties and organizations

Duly registered political parties may participate in the Referendum provided their central governing bodies report said intention to the Commonwealth Elections Commission within fifteen (15) days following the date of effectiveness of this act stating the option they shall support. Likewise, any bona fide citizen groups may participate as observers provided they comply with the requirements to such effects provided by the Commission by means of regulations. The Electoral Commission shall provide, by means of regulations, the level of participation of these groups in the Referendum process, as provided in Act No. 4 of December 20, 1977. Citizen groups that wish to participate shall report to the Commonwealth Elections Commission as to their intention within fifteen (15) days following the notice issued by the President of the Commonwealth Elections Commission to such effects. All parties that notify the Commission of their intention of participating in the Referendum shall be entitled to representation in the polling sites, as provided by the Electoral Law. If within the term established herein no party notifies its intention to participate in the Referendum, the Commission, by means of regulations, shall establish a procedure to grant to some civic or political group, the representation of any of the proposals in the polling sites on the day the Referendum is to be held. The Commission shall also establish the procedure to be followed, so that on the day of the Referendum, any voter may represent in his/her polling sites the proposal of his/her preference or his/her political party, if the same lacks representation therein.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971g - Absentee ballot

Voters who, as provided in Act No. 4 of December 20, 1977, shall be entitled to absentee vote shall file their application to vote in writing and under oath not less than thirty (30) days in advance of the date of the Referendum. For the purpose of adjudicating the absentee votes received, a term of not less than thirty (30) days as of the date the Commission sends the ballots to the voters shall be granted.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971h - Right to early voting

The Commonwealth Elections Commission shall establish by resolution the maximum number of officers or employees of the agency or Puerto Rico Police assigned to perform indispensable functions on the day of the Referendum who shall be entitled to advance vote.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971i - Voting rules

The Commonwealth Elections Commission shall adopt regulations, at least ninety (90) days before the Referendum, which shall include the rules for holding said Referendum, to be adopted pursuant to the Puerto Rico Electoral Act. Any amendments to these regulations shall be made by a majority of votes in the Commission. Provided, That any amendment shall be made between the last ten (10) days and the end of the canvassing by the unanimous vote of the Commission.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971j - Order and security

On the day the Referendum is held, the Puerto Rico Police shall provide sufficient regular personnel to oversee that public order is maintained. In those municipalities in which there are Municipal Police Corps, said corps shall collaborate with the Puerto Rico Police in maintaining order and security in the polling sites. The Commonwealth Elections Commission shall establish by means of resolution the maximum amount of public officers, employees or members of Government agencies, the Municipal Police or the Puerto Rico Police to be assigned to perform essential tasks on the day the Referendum is held who shall be entitled to advanced voting ballots.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971k - Delivery and closing of lists

The Commission shall determine the time for the delivery of the voter lists and of the closing of the lists. The date of the last closing of the Electoral Register shall never be more than fifty (50) days prior to the holding of the Referendum. The Commission shall provide the 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 —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971l - Certification

The President of the Commonwealth Elections Commission shall send a certification of the returns 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 the general canvassing. The Secretary of State shall publish said certification within forty-eight (48) hours as of its remittance in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in Puerto Rico.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971m - Will defined

It shall be understood that the People of Puerto Rico have expressed their will in favor of the proposal that obtains more than fifty percent (50%) of the total amount of valid votes cast.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971n - Preservation of ballots

The Commonwealth Elections Commission shall maintain all the ballots and tally sheets corresponding to the Referendum for a term of ninety (90) days as of the certification of the returns, after which they shall be destroyed, unless there is a judicial recourse pending, in which case they shall be kept until a final and binding judgment is delivered.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971o - Material and equipment

For purposes of this chapter, the President of the Commonwealth Elections Commission is hereby authorized to order the purchase or leasing of printed matter, machinery and equipment directly from the suppliers without the intervention of the Procurement Service of the General Services Administration. Likewise, the President of the Commission is authorized to contract the use of machines, electronic or any other type, in order to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
It shall be the obligation of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its agencies, instrumentalities, municipalities, public corporations, and subsidiary corporations thereof, to cede free of charge during a reasonable term and provided the public activities carried out therewith are not unduly hindered, the use, any type of office, mechanic, electronic or transportation equipment, or personnel or other resources at their disposal that are necessary to carry out adequately the duties imposed by this chapter to the Commonwealth Elections Commission.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971p - Prohibitions

(a) It is hereby prohibited to maintain open to the public on the day the referendum is held any locations for political propaganda or persuasion in favor of one or other proposal in the referendum within a radius of one hundred (100) meters from any building or structure wherein a polling site is installed, counting the distance from any point of the building or structure in which the propaganda location has been established.
(b) No locations for propaganda or persuasion in favor of one or the other propositions in the referendum may be established less than fifty (50) meters from each other or from any previously established political propaganda establishment or any Permanent Registration Board. The implementation of this section shall be carried out pursuant to the provisions of the Puerto Rico Electoral Act.
(c) In addition to the aforementioned prohibitions, the provisions regarding prohibitions and offenses established in the Puerto Rico Electoral Act that are necessary, pertinent and applicable for the purposes of this chapter shall remain in full force and effect.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, §§ 18—20.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971q - Right to self-determination

The referendum to express the preference of the People of Puerto Rico with respect to maintaining a Bicameral System or changing to a Unicameral System in the Legislature forms part of the People of Puerto Rico’s exercise of their right to self-determination. This right shall be exercised by the voters of Puerto Rico freely and democratically, without the undue intervention of persons who are foreign to the Puerto Rican electorate.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 21.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971r - Contributions

No natural or juridical person shall make any contributions, directly or indirectly, to the referendum campaign of a major political party, group, organization, entity or independent groups in favor or against of any of the proposals in excess of the amounts listed below:
(a) Natural or juridical persons may make voluntary contributions to a political party or group in favor or against of any of the proposals in the referendum of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each of the proposals for a maximum of two thousand dollars ($2,000).
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 22.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971s - Reports

The Commonwealth Elections Commission, by means of regulations to such effects, shall provide for matters pertaining to the reports on the raising of funds.
(a) Any person or group of persons that is not attached to any political party, group, organization or entity that participates in favor of or against any of the proposals in the referendum who receives contributions or incurs independent expenses over five hundred dollars ($500) for the campaign in favor of or against one of the proposals shall register at the Commission within three (3) days following the date of having organized as a group or the date on which the contribution was received or the expense in excess of the amount herein provided was incurred. The Commission shall provide the procedures to register such groups or persons by regulation.
(b) All broadcasting media that sell time or space, or otherwise render services related to the referendum provided in this chapter to any natural or juridical person, organization, group or political party, shall be bound to render monthly reports under oath before the Commonwealth Elections Commission, as of the date of approval of this act up to June, 2005, and a final report which spans from July 1 to July 10, 2005. Such reports shall be rendered using the official forms adopted by the Commission by means of regulations. In the reports, the media shall state the purpose of the expense, the cost of the time and space sold and the services they rendered. The reports shall include as attachments photocopies of the contracts pertaining to the time and space sold and the services described in the reports.
(c) If a broadcasting medium does not sell time or space or render services to a natural or juridical person, organization, group or political party during any of the periods stated in this section, it shall render a negative report under oath before the Commonwealth Elections Commission using the form adopted by the Commission by means of regulations.
(d) The reports required under this Section shall be submitted not later than the fifth day of the month following the month covered by the report being rendered. If a report is sent by mail, the date on the official cancellation shall be considered as the date it was rendered.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 23.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 71 - Referedum Regarding the Bicameral System of the Legislature (§§ 971 — 971t) › § 971t - Constitutional amendments; special referendum

If the Commonwealth Elections Commission certifies that the returns of the referendum favored the Unicameral System in the Legislature of Puerto Rico, a special referendum shall be held on July 9, 2007, to accept or reject the constitutional amendment proposals approved by the Legislature by means of a Concurrent Resolution to establish the Unicameral System in the Legislative Branch as of January 2, 2009.
History —Sept. 23, 2004, No. 477, § 25.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972 - Celebration

In order to establish an effective process that allows the People of Puerto Rico to express their will with respect to the issue of Puerto Rico’s status in a fair, transparent, and swift manner, a plebiscite shall be held on November 6, 2012, along with the general election. The process shall consist of two questions on the same ballot. Both questions are listed below:
(a) First Question: The People shall vote on the question of whether or not Puerto Rico should continue to have its present form of political status. The first question shall read as follows:
“Instructions: Mark your option of preference. Those ballots with more than one (1) mark in this Section shall not be tallied.
Do you agree that Puerto Rico should continue to have its present form of territorial status?
Yes ____ ____ ____ No ____ ____.”
(b) Second Question: The People shall vote to choose from among the non-territorial options: Statehood, Independence, or Sovereign Commonwealth. The second question shall read as follows: “Instructions: Regardless of your selection in the first question, please mark which of the following non-territorial options would you prefer. Those ballots with more than one (1) mark in this Section shall not be tallied.
(i) Statehood: Puerto Rico should be admitted as a state of the United States of America so that all United States citizens residing in Puerto Rico may have rights, benefits, and responsibilities equal to those enjoyed by all other citizens of the states of the Union, and be entitled to full representation in Congress and to participate in the Presidential elections, and the United States Congress would be required to pass any necessary legislation to begin the transition into Statehood. If you agree, mark here_________. ____ ____ ____.
(ii) Independence: Puerto Rico should become a sovereign nation, fully independent from the United States and the United States Congress would be required to pass any necessary legislation to begin the transition into the independent nation of Puerto Rico. If you agree, mark here ____ ____.
(iii) Sovereign Commonwealth: Puerto Rico should adopt a status outside of the Territory Clause of the Constitution of the United States that recognizes the sovereignty of the People of Puerto Rico. The Sovereign Commonwealth would be based on a free and voluntary political association, the specific terms of which shall be agreed upon between the United States and Puerto Rico as sovereign nations. Such agreement would provide the scope of the jurisdictional powers that the People of Puerto Rico agree to confer to the United States and retain all other jurisdictional powers and authorities. If you agree, mark here ____ ____ ____.”
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 1; Mar. 28, 2012, No. 61, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972a - Design and printing of ballots

The Commonwealth Election Commission shall design and print the ballot to be used, which shall be of a uniform size, in English and Spanish, printed black ink on heavy paper, so that what is printed thereon does not show through to the back, so that it can be tallied electronically by the electronic canvass system to be used in the general election of November 6, 2012. The ballot shall bear the following full-width heading at the top:
“Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico”
Below, and on the upper half of the ballot, a space for the first question shall be provided. The question, as provided in § 972 of this title, shall be printed thereon, with a space for the voter’s mark below.
On the lower half of the ballot, from top to bottom, a space shall be provided for the second question. There shall be printed three (3) side-by-side columns, in bold, for each one of the permanent status options, along with the definition of each one of them, pursuant to § 972 of this title, and the symbol or logo selected by the certified representative of the option, which shall be selected pursuant to the procedure to be established by the Commonwealth Election Commission. Below a space shall be provided for the voter to make his/her mark. The order of each one of the options shall be established by a draw administered by the Commonwealth Election Commission, as provided in § 972b of this title.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972b - Drawing

A drawing, to be administered by the Commonwealth Election Commission to determine the order in which the options of the second question shall appear, shall be conducted not before the first of May nor later than the twentieth of May 2012. Such draw shall be conducted in the presence of the representatives of each one of the status options, if, as of said time, they have been certified as provided in this chapter.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972c - Announcement

The Commonwealth Election Commission shall announce the plebiscite through a proclamation, which shall be published not less than sixty (60) days before the holding thereof, in three (3) newspapers of general circulation in Puerto Rico.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972d - Elegibility to vote

All residents of Puerto Rico duly qualified as voters, in accordance with §§ 4001 et seq. of this title, known as the “Election Code for the 21st Century” (hereinafter the “Election Code”), shall be entitled to vote in the plebiscite.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972e - Absentee or early voting

Voters that according to the Election Code are entitled to absentee or early voting, shall have the right to do so pursuant to the procedures adopted by the Commonwealth Election Commission for the 2012 General Election.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972g - Process

The Commonwealth Election Commission shall have the responsibility to organize, direct, implement, and oversee the plebiscite provided in this chapter, as well as any other function conferred by virtue of this chapter or that is necessary to comply with its purposes.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972h - Regulations

The Commonwealth Election Commission shall adopt the rules that shall govern the plebiscite at least sixty (60) days before the holding thereof. The adoption and amendments to such regulations shall be made pursuant to the Election Code.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972i - Orientation and information campaign

The Commonwealth Election Commission shall organize an orientation and information campaign on the plebiscite to be held, exhorting voters to register and participate; the manner in which voters shall mark the ballot to cast their votes; and the definitions of each one of the options. For such campaign, the Commonwealth Election Commission shall employ all communications media and any available public broadcasting techniques, including electronic media. The campaign shall begin at least sixty (60) days before the date on which the plebiscite is to be held. As part of its information and orientation phase, the campaign shall reproduce verbatim in the media, the definitions of the options, exposing each option equally.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972j - Certification of the results

The Chair of the Commonwealth Election Commission shall send a certification of the results of the Plebiscite to the Governor of Puerto Rico, the Legislative Assembly, and the Secretary of State, not later than forty-eight (48) hours after the canvass is completed. The Governor, in turn, shall certify the results of each question separately to the President and to the Congress of the United States. The certification of the Governor shall read: “The People of Puerto Rico have expressed their will, freely and democratically, with regard to the political status of Puerto Rico as follows: ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ (the results of each one of the options given for each one of the two questions of the Plebiscite shall be stated) and the United States Congress and the President are hereby urged to effectively answer to the claim of the People of Puerto Rico to enforce their will.”
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972k - Preservation of ballots and poll certificates

The Commonwealth Election Commission shall preserve all the ballots and the poll certificates corresponding to the Plebiscite for a term of not less than ninety (90) days from the date of the certification of the results. Once said term elapses, all ballots may be destroyed, unless a judicial or administrative proceeding is pending, in which case they shall be conserved until the proceeding concludes or the court ruling becomes final and binding.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972l - Appropriations

The sum of two million, five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) is hereby appropriated to the Commonwealth Election Commission from the General Fund to defray the expenses of holding the plebiscite provided in this chapter, to be distributed as follows:
(a) The sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) for organization and operating expenses related to the holding of the plebiscite.
(b) The sum of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) for expenses related to the orientation and information campaign, as provided in this chapter.
(c) For expenses incurred by parties, major parties, and parties by petition that participate in the process in accordance with § 972f of this title and by any citizen group or political action committee duly certified to represent one of the status options, as provided in § 972f of this title, the sum of one million, five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) shall be appropriated, which shall be allotted equally among all duly certified official representatives participating in the plebiscite, regardless of the option or combination of options supported.
Each party, major party, party by petition, citizen group or political action committee duly certified to participate in the second question may represent only one (1) alternative. With regard to the first question, more than one party, major party, party by petition, citizen group or political action committee may represent the same alternative, subject to the provisions of § 972f of this title. However, as provided in § 972f of this title, only the certified official representative may avail itself of the Fund established in this section.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 13.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972m - Contributions

Duly certified official representatives may receive private contributions for this plebiscite campaign, provided that the total amount thereof does not exceed the amount received from the Fund created under § 972 l of this title. The limits herein provided shall be independent from any limits applicable to political parties and their candidates in the general election.
The Department of the Treasury shall create separate accounts to administer the funds received by and campaign expenditures of duly certified official representatives. Duly certified official representatives shall deposit any contribution received in connection with this plebiscite campaign in said account.
Even though duly certified official representatives may begin raising funds for this campaign on a previous date, the resources of the Fund established in § 972 l of this title shall be available as of the first of July 2012. From said date, the Secretary of the Treasury shall deposit from the Fund herein established the amount corresponding to each official representative and make any necessary disbursements against this Fund, not later than the fifth (5th) working day after the fund request has been submitted together with the necessary documents for the processing thereof.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 14.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972n - Refund of amounts received

Any party, major party, party by petition, citizen group or political action committee certified to represent one of the options, as provided in § 972f of this title, that has availed itself of the public funding provided in § 972 l of this title, later withdraws from participating in the plebiscite, or that party, major party, party by petition, citizen group or political action committee that, after accepting the option, decides to abandon the process or agrees to support or exercise abstention in the plebiscite, shall be bound to refund to the Secretary of the Treasury the total amount received plus legal interest. Furthermore, the amounts received and not used for the purposes provided in this chapter shall be returned to the Secretary of the Treasury. The items allotted in this chapter shall not be used for elective office or other campaigns or purposes other than those set forth in this chapter.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972o - Application of the Puerto Rico Political Campaign Funding Oversight Act

The provisions of the Puerto Rico Political Campaign Funding Oversight Act shall apply to expenditures made and contributions received by political parties, citizen groups or political action committees.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 16.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972p - Application of Election Code

The prohibitions and crimes related to the holding of this plebiscite shall be governed by the provisions of the Election Code and the Puerto Rico Political Campaign Funding Oversight Act, as applicable.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972q - Judicial review

Any judicial review proceeding in connection with the holding of this plebiscite shall be governed by the provisions of the Election Code and the Puerto Rico Political Campaign Funding Oversight Act, as applicable.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 18.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SIXTEEN - Election and Registration (§§ 1 — 4255) › Subtitle 2 - Additional Provisions (§§ 351 — 973q) › Chapter 72 - Plebiscite on the Political Status of Puerto Rico (§§ 972 — 972r) › § 972r - Supplemental provisions

The Election Code and the regulations approved by virtue thereof shall be deemed to be supplemental to this chapter and its provisions shall apply to all procedures related to the holding of this plebiscite, except when they are incompatible with the provisions established herein. The Commonwealth Election Commission is hereby empowered to adopt any necessary regulations or resolutions to comply with the purposes of this chapter fairly and effectively.
History —Dec. 28, 2011, No. 283, § 19.