Research
Una Isla.
Una Diáspora.
One Agenda.
We surveyed Puerto Rican voters on the island and in the U.S. to identify what issues mattered most to each group. The poll results demonstrated a strong alignment on many socio-economic issues impacting the island.
Read the full survey memo- Fielded
- March 25–30, 2024
- Conducted with
- IZQ Strategies, a data and research services firm, with expertise in polling on la Isla
- Who we surveyed
- Likely voters registered in Puerto Rico, and Puerto Rican likely voters registered in the U.S.
Two communities, one set of questions
La Brega y Fuerza partnered with IZQ Strategies to survey the Puerto Rican community in the diaspora and on the island, to identify what issues mattered most to each group and compare the two populations.
The poll results demonstrated a strong alignment on many socio-economic issues impacting the island.
Where the island and the diaspora stand
Support extends right of the center line, opposition to the left. Each issue shows voters in Puerto Rico (PR) above voters in the diaspora.
- Strongly oppose
- Somewhat oppose
- Somewhat support
- Strongly support
Every figure is as printed in the IZQ Strategies poll charts. Very small segments are shown without a number, as in the original charts; hover over any segment to see its figure. “Island support” and “Diaspora support” sort by the “strongly support” figure; “Biggest gap” sorts by the difference between the two groups’ “strongly support” figures.
Key findings
Wages, taxes and Act 22 / Act 60
In terms of economic issues, voters in Puerto Rico and the diaspora hold similar views. 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.
Both in the archipelago and in the diaspora there is strong opposition to tax incentives for wealthy individuals like Act 22 (now Act 60), with more than half of voters opposing these benefits.
Public access to beaches
When it comes to public access to beaches in Puerto Rico, there is near unanimous agreement that all beaches must remain accessible to the public.
Medicare for All and a Green New Deal
Medicare for All is even more popular in Puerto Rico than in the U.S.
Support for abortion rights has grown
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 in Puerto Rico exhibit a strong concern that the local government is not doing enough to address femicides, with 80 percent supporting drastic measures like declaring a state of emergency.
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.
A binding plebiscite
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.).
About this poll
From March 25 to 30, 2024, IZQ Strategies conducted a survey of likely voters registered in Puerto Rico, and Puerto Rican likely voters registered in the U.S. (diaspora voters) using SMS responses.
- Diaspora voters
- 675 responses · margin of error ±4 percentage points
- Puerto Rico voters
- 362 responses · margin of error ±6 percentage points
The Puerto Rican diaspora voters sample was weighted to be representative of likely voters by age, gender, education and voting history. Responses from voters in Puerto Rico were weighted to be representative of likely voters by age, gender, education and partisanship. All respondents were given the option to take the survey in Spanish, English or a combination of both.