The Governor of Puerto Rico Luis Fortuño has approved a two-part referendum, that will help decide the political status of the island of Puerto Rico. In the first part of the referendum, Puerto Ricans will vote on whether they want a change in political status or remain a U.S. Commonwealth. In the second part, Puerto Ricans will vote on what political status they want for Puerto Rico. Voters will have three options: statehood, independence or sovereign free association. Puerto Ricans will vote on the two-part referendum on November 6, 2012.
Approval by the U.S. Congress is required, if Puerto Rico gets a majority vote in favor of changing the current Commonwealth status. Puerto Rico has held previous referendums in 1967, 1993 and 1998, but no majority for any status was attained.