Puerto Rico Cuts Two Thirds Of Polling Places Ahead Of Democratic Primary

[portlander23]

Puerto Rico Cuts Two Thirds Of Polling Places Ahead Of Democratic Primary
ALICE OLLSTEIN
Think Progress

In early May, Puerto Rico’s Democratic Party announced that more than 1,500 polling places would be available for the island’s June 5 Democratic primary. A few weeks later, they slashed that number to just over 430 — a reduction of more than two thirds.

Some are warning of long lines and voters left unable to access the ballot box, as an estimated 700,000 Puerto Ricans will vote this Sunday, and polling places will only be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m..

Worse, many voters will have to visit two separate locations to cast ballots in the presidential primary and the local primaries held the same day. Voter turnout and engagement has for years been much higher on the island than in the 50 U.S. states, but these changes may present too heavy a burden for low-income residents who lack transportation options or who need to work.

Supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) are up in arms about the polling place reductions, calling it a “fix” and drawing parallels to Arizona’s disastrous primary. Arizona’s most populous county closed two-thirds of its polling locations ahead of its April primary, forcing some voters to wait in line more than six hours to cast a ballot.

[Ohioblue22]

1. I we need to nationalize our election process

[Maru Kitteh]

2. CHEATING! RIGGED! ESTABLISHMENT!

When, for the love of Toad, is a certain segment NOT up in arms?

[flor-de-jasmim]

3. So you don't see anything suspicious in this? Just walk on by...?

[LanternWaste]

9. seems less like a suspicious cabal, and more like a victim of Puerto Rico's dept crisis.

With the amount cutbacks territory wide in everything from medical care to public education to libraries, cutting polling places seems less like a suspicious cabal, and more like a victim of Puerto Rico's dept crisis.

However, I'd be happy to entertain any premise or conclusion supported by objective evidence.

[flor-de-jasmim]

11. And Arizona's excuse, then?

[lagomorph777]

7. Uh... when voters are respected and encouraged to vote?

As opposed to dirty and obvious tricks such as closing most of the polling places?

[Cobalt Violet]

8. maybe when it's not rigged and the establishment isn't cheating.

[Joob]

14. What else is it? Saving money by making it harder to vote?

[Starry Messenger]

4. Well, they are suffering a huge economic crisis. Unfortunately. :(

[Lizzie Poppet]

5. Anyone remember actual democracy in this country?

Me, neither...

[geek tragedy]

6. here come the conspiracy theories.

Turnout for Democratic primaries there is very low--

[KingFlorez]

10. That's what happens when cash is low

Puerto Rico is broke.

[Ino]

12. They have to visit 2 different locations?!

Someone is indulging in creative voter suppression that the Bushes only dreamt of. Who benefits from this, I wonder. And how do they get away with it

[imagine2015]

13. And Democratic Party officials oppose voter suppression .... except when they engage in it.