Puerto Rico Proposes to Hold Democratic Primary

According to the New York Times today Puerto Rico's democratic party has chosen to propose that they hold a presidential primary in the country on June 1, 2008. Island Democrats still need national party approval for the switch to a primary, but since they incorporated suggestions on a draft proposal, they do not expect any objections.

This will encourage presidential hopefuls Clinton and Obama to formally campaign in Puerto Rico. Although Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, they cannot vote in the general presidential election and have no voting representation in Congress. Yet Puerto Rico will be playing an influenial role in this tight democratic race and will hold one of the last primaries. This puts the spot light on Puerto Rico to show that they can vote and that they will make a difference.

It looks as though Clinton may benefit from the island's close links to New York, home to many people from Puerto Rico. The island has seven superdelegates among its 62 convention votes. Three of the superdelegates are committed to Clinton, two to Obama, and two are uncommitted.