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Puerto Rico's Primaries

Partisan Primary Types​

Democratic PartyRepublican Party
Presidential PrimariesState PrimariesPresidential PrimariesState Primaries
open open open open

Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: No

Puerto Rico has not merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, presidential primaries and State primaries are scheduled to run on the same days

The primaries are different in different states and territories. Some states have a caucus, a more informal type of vote in which delegates are chosen to go to the National Conventions of the major parties. Puerto Rico has an open primary

Delegates and Presidential Primaries​

The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election. Candidates Ballot access rules vary depending on the candidate’s political party.

Democratic PartyRepublican Party
Total Del. VotesPled.Unpled.Altern.Total Del. VotesPled.Unpled.Altern.
56 51 5 5 23 23 20

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party's Delegates Allocation​

The Democratic party will send a total of 56 Delegate Votes (51 Pledged, 5 unpledged) and 5 Alternate delegates to the Democratic National Convention. The party will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Primary Election for apportioning pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Democratic party for further requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 33
  • At-large Delegates: 11
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 7
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 5
  • Alternate Delegates: 5

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 4
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 0
  • Dem. Gorvernors: 1
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 0

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party's Delegates Allocation​

The Republican party will send a total of 23 Delegate Votes (0 district-level, 20 at-large, 3 RNC) and 20 Alternate delegates to the Republican National Convention.

All of 23 of Puerto Rico's delegates to the Republican National Convention are bound to the presidential contenders based on the island-wide vote.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Republican party for additional requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 0
  • At-large Delegates: 20
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 20

NOTES​

This page contains primary election rules and Presidential Primary delegates allocation information on elections occurring across the country

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation apply to statewide partisan primary elections in most cases. However, check with your Town Clerk for primary voting guide as they may vary by town and political party.Please be advised that the information provided on this site is updated regularly but is subject to scheduling changes at the local level.

The information provided on the page was validated using the following resourses: