Bridgeport Mayor Creates Panel To Investigate Ballot Order

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WCBS 880) – Bridgeport's new claim to fame is its failure to provide ballots for its 70,000 registered voters.

LISTEN: WCBS 880's Sean Adams reports

Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch established a three-person panel investigation into why the Registrar's Office ordered only 20,000 ballots.

"I am going to use my powers as mayor to expose the ineptitude that inconvenienced and harassed voters," Finch said.

Finch said that it was gross negligence on behalf of the Registrar's Office, and he's eager to see the results of the investigation.

"I'm going to wait and see what my three-member panel comes up with, but certainly the responsibility of ordering the ballots was their responsibility," he said.

He also added that it was in no way an attempt to save a buck.

"It was by no means a financial matter. I have no idea where something as ridiculous as that comes from. There is no doubt the city of Bridgeport has its financial challenges, but I would never, ever scrim on making sure there were enough ballots," said Finch, whose office was not asked for more money.

A public hearing is scheduled for Nov. 16 to explain the shortage of ballots in Bridgeport.