By John McPhaul
jpmcphaul1@gmail.com
Citizens across Puerto Rico faced waits exceeding three hours, along with malfunctioning ballot counting machines, as they participated in a pivotal election on Tuesday that holds immense importance for the island’s future.
At Salvador Brau School in Carolina, where Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón voted earlier in the day, a casual survey indicated a lean towards the New Progressive Party (NPP) candidate for governor, with seven voters backing González Colón and one supporting Juan Dalmau Ramírez, the nominee from the “Alliance” comprising the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) and the Citizen Victory Movement (MVC).
At Juan José Osuna Elementary School, where San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero Lugo cast his ballot, 33-year-old Jesús Gómez expressed his choice for González Colón, stating he wished to “preserve Puerto Rico’s relationship with the U.S. union.”
On the contrary, 29-year-old Adriana Pérez indicated her intention to vote for Dalmau.
Following his vote, Romero Lugo mentioned he was uncertain if the NPP would win decisively but felt confident about prevailing in the key contests.
“We will secure the governorship, the mayorship of San Juan, and the resident commissioner position,” affirmed the sitting mayor.
At the Colegio Universitario de San Juan, Jesús Pallalleti made it clear he would be voting for the PIP-MVC Alliance.
“I used to support the ‘popular’ [Popular Democratic Party], but all the politicians are worthless,” he remarked.
Equally resolute in his choice was César Irrizarry, 61.
“My entire family has always favored statehood, and it would be out of character for me not to vote for statehood,” he stated. “My uncle is a veteran, and we stand for the U.S. union.”
