The Puerto Rico senatorial districts () refers to the electoral districts in which Puerto Rico is divided for the purpose of electing 16 of the 27 members of the Senate of Puerto Rico (with the other 11 being elected at-large). The archipelago is currently divided in eight senatorial districts, each based on a similar number of inhabitants, and comprising one or more representative districts—the electoral districts in which Puerto Rico is divided for the elections of the members of the House of Representatives.Distritos senatoriales y representativos; senadores y representantes por acumulación on RamaJudicial.PR American citizens may vote only for the district in which they have declared their residence, and only for up to two senators per district by plurality-at-large.
History
The first division of senatorial districts occurred in 1917, and came as a result of the signing of the Jones-Shafroth Act. This act allowed for Puerto Ricans to elect their first Senate and provided for the appropriate distribution of the municipalities for their representation in the Senate. Originally, the island was divided in seven senatorial districts.Jones-Shafroth Act on LexJuris
Through the years, the distribution of the districts has been revised several times. Although in most cases, the revisions are minor, there have been cases where the changes have been significant. For example, in the redistribution of 1952, an eighth district was added. The redistribution of 1972 was also significant in the way that it rearranged the districts.Distribución de Distritos Senatoriales: 1917-2002 on ElectionsPuertoRico
The last revision occurred in 2011, and it was led by Federico Hernández Denton (President), Virgilio Ramos González, Héctor Luis Acevedo.Junta Constitucional de Revisión de Distritos Electorales Senatoriales y Representativos on RedistribucionElectoral2010
Districts Each electing two senators
District Municipalities/Barrios PopulationDistritos Senatoriales 2011 on RedistribucionElectoral2010 I - San Juan San Juan Aguas Buenas some regions of Guaynabo 462,035 II - Bayamón Bayamón Cataño some regions of Guaynabo Toa Alta Toa Baja 459,805 III - Arecibo Arecibo Barceloneta Camuy Ciales Dorado Florida Hatillo Manatí Morovis Quebradillas Vega Alta Vega Baja 470,250 IV - Mayagüez-Aguadilla Aguada Aguadilla Añasco Cabo Rojo Hormigueros Isabela Las Marías Mayagüez Moca Rincón San Germán San Sebastián 478,194 V - Ponce Adjuntas Guánica Guayanilla Jayuya some regions of Juana Díaz Lajas Lares Maricao Peñuelas Ponce Sabana Grande Utuado Yauco 464,962 VI - Guayama Aibonito Arroyo Barranquitas Cayey Cidra Coamo Comerío Corozal Guayama some regions of Juana Díaz Naranjito Orocovis Salinas Santa Isabel Villalba 462,202 VII - HumacaoCaguas Gurabo Humacao Juncos Las Piedras Maunabo Naguabo Patillas San Lorenzo Yabucoa 462,914 VIII - Carolina Canóvanas Carolina Ceiba Culebra Fajardo Loíza Luquillo Río Grande Trujillo Alto Vieques 465,427
References
External links Comision Estatal de Elecciones