The United States could soon have 51 states. Puerto Ricans have
been down the road before, voting on a non-binding referendum
about statehood. The island is a U.S. commonwealth and the two-
part yes or no question asked voters if they are satisfied with
the current status. Those who voted no were then asked if they
prefer statehood, independence or sovereign free association
that would allow for more autonomy. Fifty-four percent of Puerto
Rican voters said they wanted to see a change. When given the
options, 61 percent of those voters said they preferred
statehood. Puerto Rico's incumbent pro-statehood governor lost
the election Tuesday. The new governor is in favor of keeping
the island a commonwealth. It is too early to know if Congress
will even debate the referendum results. Puerto Rico has been a
United States territory since 1898.