The Greenport mayor and Board of Trustees put seven candidates back on the ballot after residents were outraged that some mayoral candidates were originally tossed off.

Some in the community protested outside of Village Hall after seven of nine candidates were taken off the ballot for the Village Board of Trustees seats because of paperwork issues. Others packed the board meeting that was held Thursday verbally expressing their anger and holding signs.

Many questioned if there was a motive behind this because the candidates who were taken off are all challengers, and the two left on the ballot are incumbents.

One of the candidates removed said the challengers received a letter from the Greenport village clerk says the candidates did not meet the Feb. 17 date to submit the required acceptance letter to run. He says the wording led him to believe only if he declined, he needed to submit a letter.

The village clerk's office did not return several requests for comment, but members of the board admitted the letter was vague when asked during the meeting.

However, the board also denies any malicious intent.

Incumbent Village Mayor George Hubbard Jr., who is up for reelection, says he followed established guidelines and filed the acceptance letter on time to remain on the ballot. He says the election process is handled by the village clerk's office and fears it will cast a dark cloud over his run for mayor.

"I would never take anybody's right away to vote or whatever, I welcome the challenge," Hubbard Jr. says.

The seat for village mayor and two trustee seats are up for grabs on March 21.

A law firm will be hired to oversee the election.