Cranston ACI inmates counted as voters

By: News Staff

news@abc6.com

Cranston, R.I. — Inmates at the ACI will continue to be counted as residents of Cranston in election districts.

The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals initially ruled to have “ward 6” boundaries re-drawn excluding them.

Instead, ACI inmates would be counted in the city or town of their last lived address.

Republican Mayor Allan Fung appealed the decision on behalf of the city, and now those inmates will continue to be counted as Cranston residents.

“We have a long standing legal tradition of including the entire population and that was upheld. Where does it end?,” said Robert Coupe; Cranston Director of Administration.

Under Rhode Island state law, convicted felons cannot vote unless they are in prison for less than a felony.

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016