Elections in Puerto Rico:
Split-Ticket Voting in Election Laws, Regulations, Ads and Ballots

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Puerto Rico Electoral Act [Dec. 20 1977, No. 4 as amended; 2004 Edition]


Section 1.003.-Definitions.-For the purposes of this Chapter, the following terms or phrases shall have the meaning expressed hereinafter:

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(33) "Split Ballot".-Shall mean the ballot on which the voter votes for any combination of candidates [emphasis added], whether they are from the same party or not or are independent candidates, by marking individually on the election ballot or in combination with a mark under the insignia of a party, or by writing in names that do not appear on the ballot.

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Section 2.001.-Rights and prerogatives of electors.-In order to guarantee the free exercise of the electoral franchise, as well as to achieve the clearest expression of the people's will, we declare as valid and necessary the following rights and prerogatives:

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3. The citizens' right to the straight, split [emphasis added] and independent vote under equal conditions in each case.

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Section 5.028.-Manner of Voting.-The Commonwealth Elections Commission shall provide by regulations the way in which the voters shall mark their ballots to consign their vote. The method of marking the ballots shall be the simplest possible which conforms to the ballots' design and will permit issuing a vote for a straight ticket or for a split ticket [emphasis added].

The Commission shall give widespread publicity to such standards during the thirty (30) days prior to election day through the press, radio, television or any other public information media it deems convenient.