ORLANDO, Fla. (August 11, 2020) – The Daisy Morales campaign has released the following statement from Daisy Morales, candidate for Florida House District 48, on Puerto Rico’s recent election crisis:

“Puerto Rico’s recent primary election crisis is unfair and unacceptable. Voters couldn’t exercise their right to vote because not all voting precincts received their ballots in time, causing voters to be turned away after risking their lives amid the COVID-19 pandemic by waiting in line to exercise their right to vote.

“As leaders, it’s our responsibility to serve the needs of the people and be as prepared as possible. As a result of the primary ballot shortage this weekend, the ballots cast will be counted and the election paused until the remaining precincts receive their ballots and voters can cast them next Sunday, Aug. 16. Several elected leaders have leveled lawsuits against the Puerto Rico State Elections Commission for being unable to deliver ballots to more than half of the island’s election precincts.  

“Puerto Ricans take elections seriously. Some 70% of the island’s population typically turns out to vote. And as someone with family still living on the island, this is personal to me. What’s heartbreaking is that this weekend’s fiasco is discouraging some Puerto Ricans from engaging in the voting process at all, and that shouldn’t be the case. Every vote counts, and every eligible voter deserves to exercise their right to vote on the appointed election day.”