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AARP AARP States Puerto Rico Voters

How to Vote in Puerto Rico’s 2024 Elections

En español

Important dates and election information:

Key dates

  • Republican presidential primary: Sunday, April 21  
  • Democratic presidential primary: Sunday, April 28  
  • Local primary election: Sunday, June 2   
  • General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5  

Voting at a glance

  • Absentee voting: Qualified voters who are out of Puerto Rico on Election Day may vote absentee. Voters can request absentee ballots by email.   
  • Early voting: Early voting is limited to some voters and must be requested in person at least 50 days prior to the general election.  
  • Voting at the polls: Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A photo ID (such as driver’s license, voter ID card or passport) is required.  

Voting in Puerto Rico

What to know about recent changes

The State Elections Commission (CEE) launched the Electronic Voter Registry (eRE), where changes and requests can be made electronically and in real time. To make a request, you must create an account. Services available through the eRE include registering to vote, reactivating an account and changing your address. 

A ballot box in Puerto Rico
A ballot box in Puerto Rico

Voter registration

To register and vote in Puerto Rico, you must be a U.S. citizen and live on the island, among other requirements. The deadline to register to vote in the primary election is Saturday, April 13. Register in person or online.  

  • In person: Visit the office of the Permanent Registration Board (JIP, Junta de Inscripción Permanente) in your municipality or electoral precinct. JIP offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Check the directory to locate the nearest office or call 787-777-8682, ext. 2362.  
  • Online: Create an account on the Electronic Voter Registry web page and have your personal information on hand. Once you have an active account, you will be able to register.   

If you were born in Puerto Rico, provide a valid photo ID issued by the state, municipal or federal government as well as the last four digits of your Social Security number to register to vote. If you were born outside the island but on U.S. territory, provide your original birth certificate or U.S. passport, even if it has expired. If you were born abroad, provide a valid U.S. passport or a certificate of naturalization.  
Verify your voter registration information on the registered voter services page of the CEE website.   

Registering to vote on Election Day

You cannot register to vote on Election Day in Puerto Rico.

Primary voting and party affiliation

To vote in either the presidential or local primaries, a voter must be affiliated with the party in order to vote in that primary.

To obtain specific information and deadlines by party, consult the official website of the party of your choice, since each party establishes its own regulations for the primaries. 

Ways to vote  

Requesting an absentee ballot
Have your personal information and electoral number, include the mailing address where you wish to receive your ballot, on hand. This can include the address of a family member in Puerto Rico who can be responsible for providing the ballot to you.  

  • In person: Applications are available in the offices of the JIP. Search the directory to find your nearest office or call 787-777-8682, ext. 2362.  

If you do not receive a ballot, you have the right to request a second ballot. For more information, contact the JAVAA at 787-764-5601 or email java@cee.pr.gov. 

Returning your absentee ballot

Make sure you complete all fields correctly. In Puerto Rico, voters don’t need to certify absentee ballots before a witness and instead certify their own ballots by signing them under penalty of perjury.  

Absentee ballots must be mailed to JAVAA through the U.S. Postal Service or another company that offers postal services and is authorized to operate in the country. Ballots must be postmarked no later than general election day, and they must be received by the State Elections Commission before the closure of the polls. Mail ballots to: JAVAA, P.O. Box 192359,  San Juan, PR 00919.

Voting in person before Election Day

Requests for early voting must be made at least 50 days prior to the opening of the polls on Election Day.  

Voting at the polls on Election Day

On Election Day, you must vote at your designated precinct. Polls are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you are in line before the polls close, you'll be allowed to vote, as all voters inside the polling site have the right to cast their vote. If by closing time those still waiting to vote don't fit inside the polling site, a closed line will be made outside the polling place and all voters will get their turn.

Voter ID requirements on Election Day

When you go to vote, you will be asked to show a valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, voter ID card or passport. 

Voting with a disability

If you have a disability, you can request to vote at the Easy-Access Polling Place (Colegio de Fácil Acceso) located on the first floor of each of the polling centers.

Easy-Access Polling Places have large voting booths that allow people in wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs or walkers to comfortably cast their vote. You can also ask a person you trust to help you to vote. If for any reason, while you’re voting in person, you make a mistake and the vote counting machine detects the mistake, you can correct it at that time, as you have the right to request a second ballot.  For more information, call the TTY line at 787-777-0228 or 787-777-8682. 

In Puerto Rico, voting is available by phone (at the polling sites), by mail, from home and from the hospital. Ballots are also available in Braille.    

More information about candidates

Key races: 

  • Governor of Puerto Rico  
  • Resident commissioner   
  • House of Representatives and Senate  
  • Mayors of the 78 municipalities  
  • Municipal legislators 

Check the State Elections Commission's website for the latest information and check the electoral calendar to stay updated on important dates and events.  

Editor’s note: This guide was updated on Feb. 1, 2024, with new information about voting in the 2024 presidential and local primaries.

Zulay Ortiz is a digital journalist with vast experience in content creation and editing, currently serving as senior editor for AARP. She has worked as senior content programming manager for AOL Latino and as content editor and producer for AOL Puerto Rico.

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