Task force favors 2-vote process for Puerto Rico

A White House task force on Puerto Rico says it favors a system under which the island would hold two votes to determine its future relationship with the U.S. Puerto Rico is exploring the possibility of voting this summer on its future status.

The first vote would ask voters whether they want to remain part of the U.S. or become independent. They would then choose from a list of options depending on the outcome of the first vote.

The island voted on the issue in 1967, 1993 and 1998 and each time chose to remain a U.S. territory.

A bill outlining a similar two-vote process stalled in Congress last year.

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, meaning it is under the federal government's jurisdiction.