Survey of Voters in Puerto Rico & U.S. Diaspora

From March 25 to 30, 2024, IZQ Strategies & La Brega Y Fuerza surveyed likely voters registered in Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican likely voters registered in the U.S. (diaspora voters) using SMS responses. The Puerto Rican diaspora voters sample was weighted to represent likely voters by age, gender, education, and voting history. The margin of error is ±4 percentage points, and 675 responses were collected. Responses from Puerto Rican voters were weighted to represent likely voters by age, gender, education, and partisanship. The margin of error is ±6 percentage points, and 362 responses were collected. All respondents were allowed to take the survey in Spanish, English, or a combination of both.

Key Findings

• Support for abortion rights has grown among Puerto Rican voters. While voters in the diaspora expressed stronger levels of support than voters in Puerto Rico, when compared to previous surveys, support for abortion access in Puerto Rico has grown

• Puerto Rican voters support working class  progressive policies. Both groups support a minimum wage of $15 an hour, Medicare for All, and taxing millionaires at a similar rate to the U.S. to help pay Puerto Rico’s remaining debt, among other issues. 
• Puerto Rican voters support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. 66% of diaspora voters and 66% of voters in Puerto Rico support a permanent ceasefire and de-escalation of violence in Gaza, with voters in Puerto Rico demonstrating stronger support. 
• Support for abortion rights has grown among Puerto Rican voters. While voters in the diaspora expressed stronger levels of support than voters in Puerto Rico, when compared to previous surveys, support for abortion access in Puerto Rico has grown

Voters of Puerto Rico and the diaspora hold similar views. On issues, groups support a minimum wage of $15 an hour, Medicare for All, and taxing millionaires at a rate similar to the U.S. to help pay Puerto Rico’s remaining debt, among other issues. Regarding public access to beaches in Puerto Rico, there is a near-unanimous agreement that all beaches must remain accessible. 

Strong opposition to tax incentives for wealthy individuals like Act 22 (now Act 60) exists on the island and in the diaspora, with more than half of voters opposing these benefits.

When it comes to social issues, there are similar levels of support among both groups for LGBTQ+ rights, a permanent ceasefire and de-escalation of violence in Gaza, as well as a binding Congressionally approved plebiscite to determine Puerto Rico’s political status (between statehood, independence and sovereign free association with the U.S.).

There is a notable difference in terms of support for access to abortion, with voters in the diaspora expressing a more substantial level of support than voters in Puerto Rico. However, compared to previous surveys, there is evidence that support for abortion access in Puerto Rico has grown.

Additionally, voters in Puerto Rico exhibit a vital concern that the local government is not doing enough to address femicides, with 80 percent supporting drastic measures like declaring a state of emergency.