Early results from the US territory of Puerto Rico suggest the island has voted in favour of becoming a US state.
So far only 31% of the votes have been counted in a two-question, non-binding referendum.
And the man elected to be the new governor of the island, Alejandro Garcia Padilla, has campaigned in favour of maintaining the status quo.
It is the fourth time in 45 years that Puerto Rico has voted on its national status.
The island is currently a US territory, with US currency and passports.
It has ceded control of its foreign and defence policies to Washington, but governs itself and does not return senators to the US Congress. Puerto Rico is represented in Washington by a non-voting delegate.
On Tuesday voters were asked two questions in a referendum. The first was whether they wanted to change Puerto Rico's relationship with the US. Of the votes counted, 53% were in favour of change.
The second question asked whether islanders wanted to become a US state, gain independence or have a "sovereign free association" that would grant Puerto Rico more autonomy.
- In 1898 the Spanish lost the Caribbean Island at the end of the Spanish-American war and it came under US control
- In 1917 its people became US citizens - they are allowed to serve in the military but still do not have the right to vote in US presidential elections
- The country is a self-governing territory of the US but the US Congress and the president have ultimate control providing social services, foreign policy and defence
- They have a congressional representative but do not have voting rights there
- Becoming a state would see the Puerto Ricans having to pay federal taxes - currently they are exempt - but they would have the same rights as those on the mainland
Those in favour of becoming the 51st US state hold a clear lead in that ballot, with more than 60% of the vote.
Counting will resume on Wednesday.
A young voter in the capital San Juan, Jerome Lefebre, said: "Puerto Rico has to be a state. There is no other option.
"We're doing okay, but we could do better. We would receive more benefits, a lot more financial help."
But that opinion was rejected by Ramon Lopez de Azua: "Puerto Rico's problem is not its political status."
"I think that the United States is the best country in the world, but I am Puerto Rican first."
The island has been hit hard by the current recession - it has debts of $68bn (£42bn) and unemployment is more than 13%.
President Barack Obama has said he will respect the will of Puerto Ricans if there is a clear majority.
Any change would require approval by the US Congress.
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