The Phenomenon of Puerto Rican Voting

Puerto Ricans participate in elections at a far higher rate than voters in the United States, even though their election systems are similar. Why? Timely and intriguing, this study compares factors affecting turnout in both countries, offering lessons for political mobilization in the United States. Puerto Rico has virtually the same voting institutions as the United States; furthermore, most of the island's constitutional and legal arrangements are hostile to voting turnout. Yet voting behavior in Puerto Rico is radically different from its mainland counterpart. Combining both quantitative and qualitative analysis of data from the 1952-2000 electoral period, the author uncovers two important electoral differences that explain this bewildering phenomenon: the way political parties operate and the way people get involved in politics. He shows that Puerto Rican parties are stronger and more disciplined than American parties, with roots that go deeper into society. In addition, he says, "Puerto Rican culture apparently relates to elections with more passion and devotion than American culture. The campaign environment is much more 'carnivalesque,' and festive than in the United States,