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Report: Narragansett chief exits Rhode Island, loses vote

The Rhode Island Secretary of State's office has canceled the voting rights of Narragansett's Indian chief sachem because he has left the state.

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles documents indicate Matthew Thomas got a Florida driver's license March 10 and registered to vote in the Sunshine State.

Tribal election rules require the chief to live in Rhode Island or within a 50-mile radius.

WPRI reports that Thomas has not returned phone calls or emails. William Devereaux, the tribe's lawyer, said that as far as he knows, Thomas is a Rhode Island resident. He said the chief sachem is in Rhode Island more than in Florida.

Tribal Election Committee member Darlene Monroe says Thomas is "rarely here" and should step down.

 

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