The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico is experiencing delays in producing a certified vote tally for a single district almost a month after the historic general elections took place. A recent ruling by a judge has further complicated the certification process, raising concerns as the Jan. 2 swearing-in approaches.
The judge's decision, in response to a lawsuit, mandates the counting of early votes following ID verification, even if the postal address used differs from the one in the general voter registration. The ruling emphasized the legal framework's reliability and guarantees in electoral matters, aiming to eliminate doubts about the validity of early votes.
A lawsuit filed by voters affiliated with the New Progressive Party alleged that their rights were being violated due to additional requirements imposed on their early votes without legal basis. This ruling has sparked controversy and prompted an appeal from the Popular Democratic Party.
Electoral commissioners had previously agreed to verify addresses to prevent fraud, leading to investigations into discrepancies in requested ballots. Allegations of electoral crimes, including unauthorized early voting confirmations, are also under scrutiny by judicial officials.
Despite ongoing investigations, efforts are underway to certify ballots by Dec. 20 or 22, with a focus on resolving obstacles such as write-in votes and errors in bedside ballots. The certification process, mandated by local law to be completed by Dec. 31, has faced challenges necessitating adjustments in the counting process.
As Puerto Rico navigates these delays and legal challenges, the electoral landscape remains dynamic, with stakeholders working towards ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the election results.
