Election Day in Puerto Rico: Gabriel A. Negrón Torres (MUP 2026) Returns Home to Continue Commitment to Public Service

Gabriel A. Negrón Torres (MUP 2026)

Gabriel A. Negrón Torres returned to his native Puerto Rico during the 2024 election, continuing his lifelong commitment to public service in his home island. 

How did you get involved with voter engagement efforts in Puerto Rico and what kind of activities were you involved in?

From a very young age, I’ve had the privilege and resources to develop a social conscience that led me to engage in political and social processes in Puerto Rico. My involvement has ranged from protesting against budget cuts to public education as a high school student, to collaborating with the creation of electoral political movements aimed at driving change on the island. This year was not going to be an exception, despite the distance. I traveled to Puerto Rico to collaborate with the same political project I’ve been supporting for the past four years. There, I participated in mobilization efforts, including door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, organizational work during the campaign's final stages, and volunteering at polling stations on election day.

What was the experience like engaging in this work on Election Day? 

Democracies rely on legitimacy and the active participation of their citizens in political processes. In political science, there is frequent discussion about the 'cost of voting,' which encompasses far more than time and money—it also includes access to education and information. As a public servant, I see it as my responsibility to leverage my skills and privileges to help reduce these barriers for others, especially younger voters. This is why mobilization efforts to encourage political participation are vital to me. While these efforts can sometimes be tedious, serving others in this way was the most rewarding aspect of this experience—a reminder of why I would gladly do it all again in the future.

Why is voter engagement in Puerto Rico important to you and to the country overall? 

Puerto Rico stands at a pivotal moment as it looks toward its future. I belong to a generation that has only known “the crisis”—whether it’s the fiscal crisis, hurricanes, earthquakes, pandemics, cuts to essential services, or the ongoing migration of people seeking better opportunities. Over the years, I’ve witnessed these challenges firsthand, including seeing friends and family leave the island, while the population continues to age. This is why voter engagement is more important than ever. There exists a strong desire for change—one that ensures older generations can live with dignity and enables younger generations to stay and thrive in the country we deeply love. To me, that future we yearn for is possible, but it requires active political engagement. Only then can we amplify our collective needs and work toward the change Puerto Ricans deserve.

How do you hope this experience and your Wagner experience will impact your future aspirations? 

Since my first day in New York, I have made it clear that my goal is to return to Puerto Rico and serve as the best public servant and agent of social change I can be. At Wagner, we often discuss how we can make meaningful changes in this world, and this experience has only strengthened that commitment and my aspirations. I am confident that my journey at Wagner, where I am continually learning and getting inspired by the members of our vibrant community, will equip me with the tools and insights needed to reach those aspirations.

Anything else you’d like to share? 

Democracy is practiced every day, not just every four years. Voter engagement is critical, but it’s only one of the many ways we can drive meaningful change in society. Throughout my experience in Puerto Rico and my studies at Wagner, I’ve learned that lasting change happens when we take ownership of our collective future—whether through organizing, advocating, or supporting one another in times of uncertainty. My journey has shown me that our dreams depend on continuous effort and community resilience, not on a single election cycle, and being part of the Wagner community—surrounded by passionate and admirable individuals committed to change—reinforces my belief that together we can make a lasting difference and keep pushing forward.