José "Memo" González, director of the Traffic Safety Commission, refused on Friday to respond about the alleged issuance of an unofficial voter ID card from a campaign committee in Arecibo during the 2024 electoral process. The complaint has been referred to the Department of Justice, which is investigating it. Questioned by journalist Milly Méndez on Radio Isla 1320 AM, González said, "That is a matter that is with the authorities.
I am not going to intervene, I am not going to make any statement about it." González, who ran for mayor of Arecibo in 2024 under the New Progressive Party (PNP), also declined to confirm whether he received any communication from Justice, saying only that the matter "is in process." He added that he had not spoken and would not speak, citing respect for Puerto Rico's laws, its people and his work.
The case arose when a citizen went to a registration fair at the University of Puerto Rico in Arecibo to replace a worn voter card. Election officials determined the card he presented had not been officially issued by the State Elections Commission (CEE). The citizen claimed he received the duplicate at González's campaign committee.
The complaint reached the CEE through Popular Democratic Party (PPD) representative Ramón Torres. Legitimate cards are issued only by the CEE and include the voter's name, photo, signature and a barcode. CEE president Jorge Rivera Rueda stressed that no municipal committee is authorized to produce such identification.