Nation votes on smaller legislature

SAN JUAN (AP):

Voters are lining up at polling stations across Puerto Rico to decide whether to amend the island's constitution via a two-part referendum.

The referendum would shrink the size of the island's legislature by almost 30 per cent as part of a cost-saving measure and allow judges the right to deny bail in certain murder cases. Puerto Rico is currently the only place in the Western Hemisphere where everyone is entitled to bail regardless of the crime.

If approved, the bail amendment would go into effect by month's end, while the reduction of the legislature's size would become effective January 2017.

The elections commission has said it expects a high turnout among Puerto Rico's 2.3 million registered voters. Inmates and those who are hospitalised or are under house arrest have already voted.