Puerto Rico just voted to become the 51st US state - here are 15 stunning photos that will make you hope that happens

While 97% of the votes were in favor of Puerto Rico becoming a state, the election was widely boycotted. With only 23% of the population participating, it was the lowest voter turnout of any Puerto Rican election since 1967, according to the Washington Post. While some protested it in the streets, others simply sat it out.

Still, Governor Ricardo A. Rosselló of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party plans to take the results to Congress to get a vote on letting the territory become a state, which experts say could be an uphill battle.

Below, see 15 photos that show how just how gorgeous Puerto Rico is.