Boston Globe — R.I. judge says beachfront fire district unconstitutionally restricted voting

An image from the Bonnet Shores Fire District websiteSCREEN GRAB

Jan 27, 2022

By Brian Amaral — PROVIDENCE — A Rhode Island shoreline fire district can’t restrict voting in its elections solely to people who own property, including beach cabanas, a state judge ruled Thursday in a decision hailed by civil rights advocates as a major win for the right to cast a ballot.

“We feel that this sends a strong message to the fire district,” said Matthew Oliverio, an attorney for the residents of the Bonnet Shores Fire District who had challenged the voting policies.

Oliverio said Thursday evening the ruling paves the way not just to change the policy to allow all adult residents to vote regardless of property ownership, but also monetary damages. Because other parts of the lawsuit haven’t yet been resolved, it’s unclear how much in damages the plaintiffs could receive, but Oliverio said they will continue to fight on.

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