Puerto RicoPS 071720th Legislative Assembly (2025-2028)Senate

Para enmendar los Artículos 1.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.11, 3.13, 3.14, 3.16, 3.17, 4.2, 4.3, 4.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 5.10, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 5.14, 5.17, 6.4, 6.6, 6.7, 6.13, 7.2, 7.11, 7.15, 7.16, 7.19 y 8.6a; derogar el Sub Capítulo VIII-B y los Artículos 8.1.b. al 8.24.b. inclusive; enmendar los Artículos 9.5, 9.10, 9.11 y 9.14; añadir un nuevo Artículo 9.19; enmendar los Artículos 9.27, 9.32, 9.34, 9.35, 9.37, 9.38 y 9.39; renumerar los actuales Artículos 9.19 al 9.39 como Artículos 9.20 al 9.40; añadir un nuevo Artículo 9.41; enmendar y renumerar el actual Artículo 9.40 como Artículo 9.42; renumerar los actuales Artículos 9.41 у 9.42 сomo Artículos 9.43 y 9.44; enmendar los Artículos 10.5, 10.06, 10.07, 10.8, 10.11, 10.12; añadir un nuevo Artículo 10.13; añadir un nuevo Artículo 10.14; renumerar los actuales Artículos 10.13 al 10.18 como Artículos 10.15 al 10.20; enmendar los Artículos 12.20 y 12.21; añadir un nuevo Artículo 14.1, renumerar los actuales Artículos 14.1 al 14.8 como Artículos 14.2 al 14.9 de la Ley 58-2020, según enmendada, conocida como "Código Electoral de Puerto Rico de 2020", a los fines de realizar enmiendas técnicas y operacionales a la Ley actual para lograr más eficiencia y confiabilidad en el sistema electoral, atemperar la Ley a las realidades prácticas, fortalecer los controles institucionales y ampliar la participación electoral de forma inclusiva y equitativa; establecer reglas más claras y uniformes para el cierre del registro electoral; optimizar el funcionamiento de la Comisión Estatal de Elecciones y sus áreas técnicas; ampliar y reglamentar con mayor precisión el acceso al voto adelantado y ausente; clarificar los procesos para la notificación de resultados electorales; incorporar una nueva modalidad de voto adelantado para personas de cincuenta (50) años o más; establecer una distribución más clara de responsabilidades entre las unidades administrativas de la Comisión Estatal de Elecciones; y para otros fines relacionados

Sponsored By: Thomas Rivera Schatz (PNP)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

25 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 2 costs, 14 mixed.

Voter deadlines and challenge window

Voter registration closes 50 days before primary and general elections. The law also defines the registry “closure” for a voting event as the last business day before that event when the Commission can accept changes. Only changes accepted by that deadline count for the coming vote. Precinct voters can file a recusation between January 15 and April 30 of a general‑election year.

Early in-person voting for 50+

If you will be 50 or older on election day, you can apply to vote early in person. Voters with physical or visual impairments can also use this option. Early voting runs no more than 15 days before and ends at least 2 days before election day. Centers open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., including weekends, in public or approved private sites. You vote directly on the electronic tabulation machine to keep your ballot secret.

Early and absentee voting options grow

If you live in Puerto Rico and are active on the rolls, you can vote absentee if you swear you will be off‑island on election day. Early voting now covers more groups, including travelers, people with physical limitations, homebound voters, and people 50 or older. Allowed methods vary by category: some use mail only, some may use mail or internet transmission, and some must vote before a local board. Applications open on the first day of the election cycle, and officials cannot demand documents unless someone shows proof your sworn claim is false. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by election day and received by the last day of the canvass. Include a copy of your electoral ID or other approved photo ID; you can cure a missing ID copy before the canvass ends. No notarization or witnesses are required to vote early.

Online voter tools and ID checks

You can use the eRE system to open, update, or deactivate your voter record online. New voters must show a certified birth certificate, a U.S. passport, or a naturalization certificate. If you apply within 60 days before the registry closes, you must also provide a certified birth certificate and proof of address. When you apply online, attach clear photos or scans of the required IDs and papers. Actions done and validated in eRE update the official voter roll the same as in person.

Endorsements and candidate filings go online

All endorsement petitions move to the SIEN electronic system, which sets the official petition forms. All candidacy and primary‑intent filings must be sent through the Commission’s online system so ballot data can be exported. Each party chooses which type of primary it will hold.

Expanded absentee and early voting

More groups can vote absentee, such as students away, service members, some workers off‑island, and people getting medical care abroad. Requests open with the Electoral Cycle and are due 50 days before election day; bilingual forms must be ready within 60 days of the Cycle start. Each voter files one request, but someone else can deliver it. Your request must include a sworn statement, proof for your category, and ID details including the last four of your Social Security number, your addresses, contacts, a username, and a four‑digit password not equal to your SSN last four. An absentee request also reactivates your registration if needed. Home and nursing‑home early votes are counted on the Monday before the election. A new board (JAVAA) runs absentee and early voting and starts processing mail ballots at least 30 days before election day; party officials may attend, but work does not stop if they are absent.

Year-round voter registration and help

The Elections Commission keeps registration services open year-round at local boards and online through eRE. Newly naturalized citizens can register at their naturalization ceremony. A central help center (CESI) now assists by phone and web, with extended and holiday hours set within 180 days before any vote. Phone calls may be recorded only if you are warned and agree. To use eRE, identity checks must use your voter ID and the last four digits of your Social Security number, and new eRE registrations must attach an approved ID image. You must keep your address and registration data true and up to date. Forty permanent registration boards operate across the island, and monthly lists of changes can be challenged within 10 days. Parties get official enrollment forms; you receive a copy as proof. Existing party‑appointed staff help run the JIP boards and CESI offices.

Clearer polling and ballot rules

The electronic poll book is the official voter list and records your signature or mark. Ballots must be marked inside a black‑bordered rectangle so machines read them, and the rules are shared 60 days before each vote. Blank, spoiled, or null ballots do not change result percentages and are only tallied in groups. The Commission may set the maximum number of voters per polling place for non‑primary elections based on past turnout.

Faster election decisions and records

All final Commission decisions must be emailed to local commission leaders within 24 hours. Any Electoral Commissioner can request a certified transcript of full Commission meetings. These rules speed coordination and improve accountability.

Faster results and automatic recounts

The Commission gives a first partial result by 10:00 p.m. on election day and a second by 11:00 a.m. the next day. Preliminary results come within 96 hours, with a clear disclaimer that they are not final. The General Scrutiny starts within 4 days and runs with at least 60 tables for general elections. It cannot be stopped except for routine breaks, and blocking it is a felony. A full recount happens if the lead is 100 votes or fewer, or 0.5% or less.

Fund to transport voters on election day

A $1.2 million fund is set for each General Election to move voters to the polls. Apply within 15 days after the Commission certifies gubernatorial candidates. At least half of each award must pay for motor‑vehicle transportation; up to half may fund other mobilization like calls or media. The Commission and the Electoral Comptroller run the program under joint rules.

New office to run election tech

The law creates the Office of Information Systems and Electronic Processing inside the Elections Commission. It evaluates bids for equipment and systems, oversees election IT projects, and manages controlled access to electronic voter records. The office centralizes the Commission’s technology work.

Stronger privacy for voter data

Your party affiliation is private and not a public record. Your Social Security number and last four digits are confidential and kept only in the voter database under OSIPE’s custody. The official voter file can include photos, IDs, signatures, and biometrics, and OSIPE must protect these with strong security.

This law overrides conflicting rules

If another law or rule conflicts with this Electoral Code, this law controls. Conflicting parts have no effect.

Uniform election planning and timelines

The Commission plans polling places and costs using real participation, including early and mail voting. Result reports and statistics must use the same formats so events can be compared. The general‑election cycle starts June 1 of the year before and ends 30 days after final certification. The Commission must update its rules to match this law. The law also repeals an old subchapter to align the code.

Remove campaign signs within 30 days

Parties and candidates must remove political signs and materials from public places within 30 days after each election event.

Training and paperwork before taking office

To be certified, an elected person must take the Course on Use of Funds and Public Property and provide a Reviewed Financial Statement. Municipal Legislators do not need to provide the reviewed statement. The course is required once every four years. The Governor and the Resident Commissioner may choose whether to take it.

New polling hours and worker rules

On general election day, polling places open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m. Poll workers and observers must be registered voters in the municipality where they serve and be qualified to vote in that election. They may vote early and still work at the polls. All ballot instructions must be in Spanish and English and placed where voters can easily read them.

Clearer nomination dates and vacancies

Alternate nomination methods must finish by December 1 of the year before the general election. If you try that path and are not selected, you cannot run in a primary for the same office that cycle. Party presidents must notify the Commission of their presidential primary date by December 1 of the year before the general election. Any mayor or municipal legislator vacancy is filled under the Puerto Rico Municipal Code.

Faster buying of election tech

The Elections Commission can buy or lease election equipment and systems without following some procurement laws. This speeds up technology purchases and upgrades. It may also reduce some safeguards that vendors are used to under those laws.

Faster tech buying and oversight

For tech projects, OSIPE’s advisors evaluate offers, and the full Commission makes the award; if they cannot agree, the President decides. The President can buy goods up to $75,000, contract non‑professional services up to $150,000, and make micro‑purchases up to $5,000 without quotes. Awards are final and are not paused by lawsuits unless a later final court order says so. The Commission meets at least weekly. After each General Election, a tech report is due by June 30.

Law takes effect in 30 days

The law takes effect 30 days after it was approved. Its rules and benefits start then.

New leadership and staffing rules

The majority party’s Electoral Commissioner proposes nominees for Commission President and Alternate. Commissioners have 30 days to agree; if not, the Governor appoints within 15 days with two‑thirds approval of both chambers. These periods are cut in half within 120 days before an election. The President may reassign public employees to the Commission for administrative work unless it would harm essential services. Each area has a Director (from the majority party’s recommendation) and a Subdirector (from the second‑largest party). The Secretary serves a 4‑year term starting no later than July 1 after an election and is paid like a Superior Court Judge.

Stricter checks for direct-nomination winners

Winners by direct nomination must provide sworn acceptance, campaign‑finance compliance, training proof, tax records (10 years for Governor, Resident Commissioner, State Legislator, and Mayor; 5 years for Municipal Legislator), CRIM clearance or a payment plan, Comptroller clearances, a drug test, and a criminal‑record certificate. Agencies must give required certificates free within five days. No one may be elected to more than one office in the same election. The deadline to comply is January 7 after the General Election; if missed, the next‑highest vote‑getter is declared and has seven days to comply.

Stronger rules on campaign materials

Campaign materials of certified candidates are protected from January 1 through 30 days after the general election. After primaries, losing candidates lose protection right away; winners keep protection through the general election. It is a felony to knowingly damage electoral documents or authorized campaign materials in public places. A conviction can mean 1 to 3 years in prison, a fine up to $5,000, or both.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Thomas Rivera Schatz
PNP • Senate

Cosponsors

Héctor Joaquín Sánchez Álvarez
PNP • Senate
Jamie Barlucea Rodríguez
PNP • Senate
Jeison Rosa Ramos
PNP • Senate
Joe ‘Joito' Colón Rodríguez
PNP • House
Luis Daniel Colón La Santa
PNP • Senate
Rafael Santos Ortiz
PNP • Senate
Wilmer Reyes Berríos
PNP • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 53 • No: 26

House vote • 2/26/2026

Aprobado por Cámara en Votación Final

Yes: 34 • No: 17

Senate vote • 11/6/2025

Aprobado por el Senado en Votación Final

Yes: 19 • No: 9

Actions Timeline

Ley Núm. 39 — Firmada por la Gobernadora
3/10/2026Senate
Enviado a la Gobernadora
2/27/2026Senate
Firmado por el Presidente de la Cámara
2/27/2026House
Firmado por el Presidente del Senado
2/27/2026Senate
Se dispone que sea enrolado
2/26/2026Senate
Cuerpo de Origen concurre con enmiendas
2/26/2026Senate
Aprobado por Cámara en Votación Final
2/26/2026House
Aprobado con enmiendas en sala
2/26/2026Senate
Aprobado con enmiendas del informe
2/26/2026Senate
En el Calendario de Ordenes Especiales de la Cámara
2/26/2026House
Remitido a Comisión de Calendarios de la Cámara
2/25/2026House
Entirillado del Informe
2/25/2026Senate
1er Informe Comisión rendido con enmiendas
2/25/2026Senate
Reunión Ejecutiva: Oficina del Hon. Carlos J. Méndez Núñez, Presidente de la Cámara de Representantes
2/25/2026House
Vista Pública: Salón Leopoldo Figueroa
12/15/2025Senate
Vista Pública: Salón Leopoldo Figueroa
12/12/2025Senate
Vista Pública: Salón Leopoldo Figueroa
12/11/2025Senate
Referido a Comisión(es)
11/12/2025Senate
Aparece en Primera Lectura de la Cámara
11/12/2025House
Texto de Aprobación Final enviado a la Cámara
11/6/2025House
Aprobado por el Senado en Votación Final
11/6/2025Senate
Aprobado con enmiendas en sala
11/6/2025Senate
Aprobado con enmiendas del informe
11/6/2025Senate
En el Calendario de Ordenes Especiales del Senado
11/6/2025Senate
Remitido a la Comisión de Reglas y Calendario del Senado
11/6/2025Senate

Bill Text

Se dispone que sea enrolado
2/26/2026
PDF
Texto de Aprobación Final enviado a la Cámara
11/6/2025
View
Radicado
9/8/2025
View
Radicado (Senado mirror)
9/8/2025
PDF

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