Puerto Ricans vote overwhelmingly to apply for U.S. statehood

SAN JUAN,  (Reuters) – Puerto Rico voted overwhelmingly today to apply to Congress to become the 51st state, election officials said, although less than a quarter of eligible voters cast ballots in the plebiscite.

Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello said voters in the economically troubled U.S. island territory were sending a strong message to Congress. But Puerto Rico is seen as a low priority in Washington.