House creates joint commission to review Puerto Rico electoral code

The House of Representatives approved a concurrent resolution on Aug. 21, 2025, to create a joint legislative commission to review the island's Electoral Code and recommend changes, the chamber's president announced after a roll-call vote.

Supporters said the commission is intended to restore public confidence and examine recurring problems in recent elections, including absentee and early voting procedures and the structure and powers of the State Elections Commission. Representative Ramón Torres emphasized the need to recover "certeza y fe" (certainty and faith) in the electoral process, saying the commission should produce recommendations "con el aval de todos los partidos." Representative Connie Varela and others urged the commission to move quickly and to examine specific technical areas, including SIPE, JAVA and operations.

Lawmakers on both sides said the commission should seek consensus, but debate focused on how minority parties would be represented on the panel. Representative Ferrer Santiago proposed provisions to increase minority representation and to change how the commission selected co-chairs; his amendment failed. Several minority members and supporters warned that excluding broader representation would undermine the commission's credibility. Representative Pare9s Otero and others stressed that the commission must ensure minority voices have "voz y voto" (voice and vote).

The resolution requires the joint commission to evaluate multiple aspects of the current code, including early and absentee voting modalities, use of modern technologies for vote counting, territorial organization of voter registration boards and the commission's internal decision-making powers. The House also specified that the commission's work should include consultation with political parties and relevant stakeholders and name an executive director; Representative Pareds Otero suggested Mundo Redos as a candidate for that post.

The measure passed on a final vote called later in the day; the clerk announced the resolution concurrente de la ce1mara 24 was approved with 47 votes in favor and none opposed. House members said the commission will report back to the Legislature; the resolution text assigns duties, membership parameters and reporting requirements to the joint panel.

Lawmakers who objected to some of the floor amendments said they would continue to press for minority participation and procedural guarantees once the commission convenes. Supporters said the commission aims to produce consensus-based proposals ahead of the next election cycle.

The chamber scheduled final steps and commission referrals as part of the legislative calendar. The House adjourned its session later the same day.