SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Puerto Ricans are facing a fundamental question on their ballots: Should they change their ties with the United States?
Election Day is a holiday in the U.S. island territory and the streets were quiet Tuesday, except around polling stations. The U.S. island territory does not get a vote in the U.S. presidential election.
But many are excited for a chance to vote in a referendum that asks voters if they want to change the relationship to the United States. A second question gives voters three alternatives: become the 51st U.S. state, independence, or "sovereign free association," a designation that would give more autonomy for the territory of 4 million people.
As of Wednesday morning, 54% voted to change the island's status. As to the second question, 61% want statehood, 33% are for sovereign free association, and about 5.5% are for independence.
Those results are with nearly 96% of polling stations reported.
If those results hold up, it will still be up to Congress to begin the process of making Puerto Rico the country's 51st state.