About Puerto Rico

As per the Puerto Rico Constitution, a democratic and republican form of government is set, divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial, each of equal importance and equally subordinated to the sovereign power of the people.

The legislative branch consists of a bicameral Legislative Assembly with a Senate (27 members) and a House of Representatives (51 members). A constitutional provision requires that total membership in the Assembly be expanded, as necessary, to increase minority representation whenever one-party controls more than two thirds of seats. A Resident Commissioner, who serves as the island's sole delegate to the U.S. Congress, holds limited powers as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Executive authority is vested in a governor.

The Island is divided into 78 municipalities, each led by a mayor and municipal assembly. All of the aforementioned positions are elective, with balloting conducted every four years in November. Victorious candidates take office the following January. Resident U.S. citizens, age 18 and older, are eligible to vote; voter turnout consistently exceeds 80% of the electorate.

The Governor appoints executive branch and public corporation leadership positions, under a highly centralized structure. The Secretary of State (who serves as acting governor in the chief executive's absence) must be confirmed by a majority vote of both chambers of the Legislative Assembly; other senior nominees require confirmation only by the Senate.

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