A Bethel Board of Finance member has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice.  Cynthia McCorkindale opposes the governor’s executive order authorize Boards of Finance to act as the voting body on budgets, overriding the town meeting form of government because of restrictions on gathering size during the public health emergency. 

The complaint claims Governor Lamont and local officials are violating the Voting Rights Act.  McCorkindale, who is also part of the tax watchdog group Bethel Action Committee, says the selectmen and local health officials are complicit in their failure to challenge the executive order. 

First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker told Hearst Connecticut Media that the town could not have safely held a referendum, especially if the state, with its resources, postponed the presidential primary. 

The Justice Department did not provide a timeline for how long it would take to review the complaint.