Can US territories vote in presidential elections? What to know

On November 6, 2024By Littum

It’s election day in America, and across the country citizens are heading to the polls to cast their votes. In a race with a seemingly razor-thin margin, a small number of votes could be decisive between a Kamala Harris or Donald Trump administration.

But not all votes have the same weight. What’s happening beyond the 50 states for residents of the five US territories and Washington DC?

After all, America is an umbrella term that is not just limited to the mainland, but extends to the (somewhat) newly minted states of Hawaii and Alaska, and to the five territories.

Washington DC, formally the District of Columbia, is the only non-state awarded electoral votes. Here is a guide for the others.

Do US territories vote for president?

The US territories include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

While the precincts participate in the presidential primaries and send delegates to both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions to help elect either party’s nominee, they do not receive Electoral College votes. The Electoral College ultimately decides who occupies the White House, even if it doesn’t align with the popular vote.

However, this does not mean that residents in the areas cannot automatically vote. Except for American Samoa, residents of all four other territories have US citizenship and can therefore vote in general elections if they live permanently in one of the 50 states or Washington DC

American Samoans are considered American citizens rather than American citizens.

Is Puerto Rico voting for president?

Yes and no. Those born in Puerto Rico have US citizenship, which means that Puerto Ricans living in one of the 50 states in Washington DC can vote for the president if they have formal residency.

Over two-thirds of Puerto Ricans live in the 50 states and DC—about 5.8 million, Pew Research Center reports that represent a significant and important voting bloc.

Is Guam voting for president?

Like Puerto Rico, the island of Guam itself does not have electoral votes.

However, residents of Guam who live in one of the 50 states or Washington DC can cast their vote in those states and be part of the election process.

Do US territories have representation in Congress?

Each US territory elects a member of the House of Representatives, but this member does not have the right to vote. The areas have no representation in the Senate.