State Election Commission

On Election Day in Puerto Rico, voting equipment malfunctioned repeatedly — failing to turn on, shutting down unexpectedly, misreading ballot markings, and frequently jamming. Just a month earlier, the CEE had assured the public that similar issues encountered during the primaries last June had been resolved.

For the first time, a recent amendment to Puerto Rico’s Electoral Code allows voter eligibility to be disputed even after the Electoral Register closes — potentially just days before elections. The CPI has found that some voters facing these disputes are not notified, leaving them without the opportunity to respond.

Since the new law came into effect, the CEE’s president practices the highest executive and administrative authority at the agency.