Changes

==Referendum results==

==Referendum results==

In the last two referendums, in 2012 and 2017 respectively, the statehood option won by 61% in 2012, and in 2017 by 97%. However, both conservative and leftist critics claim that both referendums are invalid as they had many blank votes. Alaska and Hawaii were both admitted a state with only 13% and 34% respectively of citizen voted.

In the last two referendums, in 2012 and 2017 respectively, the statehood option won by 61% in 2012, and in 2017 by 97%. However, both conservative<ref name="Adelmann2017"/> and leftist critics claim that both referendums are invalid as they had many blank votes. Alaska and Hawaii were both admitted a state with only 13% and 34%, respectively, of citizens voting.

==Arguments for and against==

==Arguments for and against==

===Conservative and liberal attitudes===

===Conservative and liberal attitudes===

Historically, Republicans supported statehood for Puerto Rico. Leftists, including most Puerto Rican Democrats in the [[U.S. Congress]], historically opposed statehood promote independence or free association instead. Some socialist pro-independence activists committed acts of left-wing terrorism, including a notable shooting inside the U.S. Capitol in 1954. Despite this, some other Democrats support statehood, just to provide two extra liberal voices in the Senate.

Historically, Republicans supported statehood for Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico statehood movement was created by [[Jose Celso Barbosa]], who founded the Puerto Rican division of the [[Republican Party]].<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=oEBm4hxNbMIC&lpg=PA18&ots=h88V1_YTba&dq=Jos%C3%A9%20Celso%20Barbosa&pg=PA18#v=onepage&q=Jos%C3%A9%20Celso%20Barbosa&f=false</ref> Leftists, including most Puerto Rican Democrats in the [[U.S. Congress]], historically opposed statehood promote independence or free association instead. Some socialist pro-independence activists committed acts of left-wing terrorism, including a notable shooting inside the U.S. Capitol in 1954.

The Puerto Rico statehood movement was created by Jose Celso Barbosa, who founded the Puerto Rican division of the [[Republican Party]].<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=oEBm4hxNbMIC&lpg=PA18&ots=h88V1_YTba&dq=Jos%C3%A9%20Celso%20Barbosa&pg=PA18#v=onepage&q=Jos%C3%A9%20Celso%20Barbosa&f=false</ref> Republicans figures such as [[Gerald Ford]], [[Ronald Reagan]] and [[George H.W. Bush]] expressed support statehood for Puerto Rico.<ref>https://proyectoestrella.wordpress.com/2012/10/27/que-presidentes-han-apoyado-la-estadidad-para-puerto-rico/</ref> [[Donald Trump]], and [[Mike Pence]] have stated they support whatever decision the people of Puerto Rico choose, including statehood.<ref>https://www.puertoricoreport.com/mike-pences-statement-puerto-rico/#.W_oXxBbB-aM</ref><ref>http://www.pr51st.com/es/trump-puerto-rico/</ref>

More recently, both parties on the mainland have adopted similar positions with regard to statehood. Republicans figures such as [[Gerald Ford]], [[Ronald Reagan]] and [[George H.W. Bush]] expressed support statehood for Puerto Rico.<ref>https://proyectoestrella.wordpress.com/2012/10/27/que-presidentes-han-apoyado-la-estadidad-para-puerto-rico/</ref> [[Donald Trump]], and [[Mike Pence]] have stated they support whatever decision the people of Puerto Rico choose, including statehood.<ref>https://www.puertoricoreport.com/mike-pences-statement-puerto-rico/#.W_oXxBbB-aM</ref><ref>http://www.pr51st.com/es/trump-puerto-rico/</ref> Meanwhile, the Democratic Party platform in 1940 supported statehood for Puerto Rico along with Alaska and Hawaii, and subsequent GOP and Democrat platforms have made similar statements on Puerto Rican statehood, supporting Puerto Rican self-determination and leaning toward statehood.

 

However, many conservatives on the mainland are critical of Puerto Rican statehood. Their reasoning is that as a state, it is expected to reliably elect Democrats to Congress and significantly shift the balance of power in the Senate to the Left.<ref name="Byas2017">Byas, Steve (August 23, 2017). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/item/26758-puerto-rico-push-for-statehood-would-it-be-good-for-america Puerto Rico Push for Statehood: Would It Be Good for America?] ''The New American''. Retrieved November 24, 2018.</ref><ref name="Adelmann2017">Adelmann, Bob (June 12, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/item/26236-puerto-rico-s-vote-for-statehood-means-nothing Puerto Rico’s Vote for Statehood Means Nothing]. ''The New American''. Retrieved November 24, 2018.</ref> Additionally, they point out the territory's large debt.<ref name="Byas2017"/><ref name="Adelmann2017"/>

==References==

==References==