Is it fair that Puerto Rico/other random islands get delegates?

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

It is a legacy of the days when the expectation was that all Territories would eventually become States. Population wise there are only three Territories it makes sense to make States: Puerto Rico, Columbia, and Mariana (Guam + NMI). Give American Samoa independence and sell back the Danish Virgin Islands to the Danes.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Yes, although I think they should either get statehood or independence.

[Stranger in a strange land]

Yes, but it's a bit unfair that the Northern Marianas get NINE Republican delegates when their population is only 54,000, half as many as Hawaii, which has 26 times the population.

[Zioneer]

No.  Puerto Rico shouldn't have any voting rights at all in American elections.  They should go back to being our colony.

Are you even trying to troll anymore? This is just sad.

[ag]

Yes, but it's a bit unfair that the Northern Marianas get NINE Republican delegates when their population is only 54,000, half as many as Hawaii, which has 26 times the population.

They probably have almost as many Republicans as Hawaii, though

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

I'd give Puerto Rico and other territories the same rights as D.C. in presidential elections, although due to all territories, except Puerto Rico, having populations way too small for statehood, I'd give each 2 ot 1 electoral votes.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Or better yet; combine American Samoa, Guam and Northern Marianas and Virgin Islands populations (372,867) for a purpose of being considered as a state for presidential election purpouses. Yes, that's still fever people than in Wyoming (584 153), but an idea worth considering IMO.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Or better yet; combine American Samoa, Guam and Northern Marianas and Virgin Islands populations (372,867) for a purpose of being considered as a state for presidential election purpouses. Yes, that's still fever people than in Wyoming (584 153), but an idea worth considering IMO.

Just make the Virgin Islands part of Puerto Rico. They even call the Puerto Rico islands next to it the Spanish Virgin Islands.

[Oak Hills]

Or better yet; combine American Samoa, Guam and Northern Marianas and Virgin Islands populations (372,867) for a purpose of being considered as a state for presidential election purpouses. Yes, that's still fever people than in Wyoming (584 153), but an idea worth considering IMO.

Or we could just, you know, just switch to using the national popular vote and let all US citizens have a say, regardless of where they live.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Or better yet; combine American Samoa, Guam and Northern Marianas and Virgin Islands populations (372,867) for a purpose of being considered as a state for presidential election purpouses. Yes, that's still fever people than in Wyoming (584 153), but an idea worth considering IMO.

Or we could just, you know, just switch to using the national popular vote and let all US citizens have a say, regardless of where they live.

That would be the best solution, of course.

[muon2]

Or better yet; combine American Samoa, Guam and Northern Marianas and Virgin Islands populations (372,867) for a purpose of being considered as a state for presidential election purpouses. Yes, that's still fever people than in Wyoming (584 153), but an idea worth considering IMO.

Or we could just, you know, just switch to using the national popular vote and let all US citizens have a say, regardless of where they live.

That would be the best solution, of course.

Only if there is a runoff if no one gets 50% in the first vote. Just like in Poland.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Or better yet; combine American Samoa, Guam and Northern Marianas and Virgin Islands populations (372,867) for a purpose of being considered as a state for presidential election purpouses. Yes, that's still fever people than in Wyoming (584 153), but an idea worth considering IMO.

Or we could just, you know, just switch to using the national popular vote and let all US citizens have a say, regardless of where they live.

That would be the best solution, of course.

Only if there is a runoff if no one gets 50% in the first vote. Just like in Poland.

I'd love to see 1992, 1996 and 2000 runoffs

[ag]

Or better yet; combine American Samoa, Guam and Northern Marianas and Virgin Islands populations (372,867) for a purpose of being considered as a state for presidential election purpouses. Yes, that's still fever people than in Wyoming (584 153), but an idea worth considering IMO.

Or we could just, you know, just switch to using the national popular vote and let all US citizens have a say, regardless of where they live.

That would be the best solution, of course.

Only if there is a runoff if no one gets 50% in the first vote. Just like in Poland.

Hate runoffs. They really screw things up.

[Sir Mohamed]

Yes. But I'm for statehood for PR.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Or better yet; combine American Samoa, Guam and Northern Marianas and Virgin Islands populations (372,867) for a purpose of being considered as a state for presidential election purpouses. Yes, that's still fever people than in Wyoming (584 153), but an idea worth considering IMO.

Or we could just, you know, just switch to using the national popular vote and let all US citizens have a say, regardless of where they live.

That would be the best solution, of course.

Only if there is a runoff if no one gets 50% in the first vote. Just like in Poland.

Hate runoffs. They really screw things up.

Sure, let's the minority elect President despite the majority voting for someone else...

Lack of runoffs can screw things even more. Let's look at the very grotesque example, that is the 1992 Filipino presidential election, when a winner got mere 23.58%. Very democratic indeed.

[Shameless Lefty Hack]

Yes, and they should be a state.

[bagelman]

Yes, and their votes should matter in the GE.

[Lachi]

I'd give Puerto Rico and other territories the same rights as D.C. in presidential elections, although due to all territories, except Puerto Rico, having populations way too small for statehood, I'd give each 2 ot 1 electoral votes.

All states have to have at least 3 votes, it is in the constitution, so the smaller islands would have 3, while Puerto Rico would probably have like, 5 or 6.

[sportydude]

It is a legacy of the days when the expectation was that all Territories would eventually become States. Population wise there are only three Territories it makes sense to make States: Puerto Rico, Columbia, and Mariana (Guam + NMI). Give American Samoa independence and sell back the Danish Virgin Islands to the Danes.

Or the U.S. Virgin Islands could merge with Puerto Rico, as the Spanish Virgin Islands belong to Puerto Rico anyway.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

It is a legacy of the days when the expectation was that all Territories would eventually become States. Population wise there are only three Territories it makes sense to make States: Puerto Rico, Columbia, and Mariana (Guam + NMI). Give American Samoa independence and sell back the Danish Virgin Islands to the Danes.

Or the U.S. Virgin Islands could merge with Puerto Rico, as the Spanish Virgin Islands belong to Puerto Rico anyway.

Even if it were the only way to gain statehood, I can't see the USVI agreeing to join Puerto Rico, even if PR's fiscal mess is straightened out.

[catographer]

It's very fair, and in fact it's unfair that they only vote in the primaries and not the general. In France for example, their overseas territories vote for the President just like on the mainland.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

Yes and they should be a state if they so choose to.

This.  If they want statehood, they can have it.  If they want independence, they can have it.  And if they want to keep their territorial status, then they can have that, too.  Let the people decide.