Once a Puerto Rican moves to any of the 50 states, they have the same voting rights as any other U.S. citizen living in that state.
Here's the simple breakdown:
• U.S. Citizenship: People born in Puerto Rico have been U.S. citizens since the Jones-Shafroth Act was passed in 1917.
• Voting is Based on Residency: The right to vote in presidential, congressional, and state elections is determined by residency.
When a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico establishes residency in a state—for example, by moving to Florida, Pennsylvania, or New York—they can register to vote according to that state's rules. Once registered, they can vote for:
• The President of the United States
• Their U.S. Senators and Representatives in Congress
• State and local officials (Governor, mayor, etc.)
This is the key difference from living on the island. While residing in Puerto Rico, their U.S. citizenship allows them to vote in presidential primary elections, but they cannot vote in the general presidential election. By moving to a state, they gain the full voting rights associated with state residency.
