Thousands of Puerto Ricans on Sunday got a second chance to vote for the first time, a week after delayed and missing ballots marred the original primaries in a blow to the U.S. territory’s democracy.
LOÍZA, Puerto Rico — Thousands of Puerto Ricans on Sunday got a second chance to vote for the first time, a week after delayed and missing ballots marred the original primaries in a blow to the U. S. territory’s democracy. More than 60 of the island’s 110 precincts opened following a recent U. S. Supreme Court decision that stated a second round of voting would take place at centers that never opened on Aug.9 or did not remain open the required eight hours. The opening of at least one voting center in the north coastal town of Loíza was delayed by more than one hour as dozens of voters grumbled about having to stand in the heat with masks over their faces. “We expected that there wouldn’t be any problems,” said Santiago Jiménez,68, a retiree, adding that some people left. “We’re all frustrated.” Jannette Ledoux, coordinator for the unit where the voting center was located, told The Associated Press that the problem was a result of four volunteers’ quitting late Saturday, delaying the required ballot counting before the doors opened.
