Merrill announces Congressional primary petitions

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut Democratic or Republican candidates looking to run in the August Congressional primary can now begin petitioning their ways onto the statewide ballot.

Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said the petitions, which became available Tuesday, can only be signed by registered Republicans or Democrats and must be submitted to local Registrars of Voters offices by the afternoon of June 12. To make it only the ballot, aspiring candidates must collect signatures from at least 2 percent of the enrolled party members in their district.

The Connecticut primary for seats in Congress will be held Aug. 14. Besides U.S. House seats, the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman is being contested.

Merrill said primary petitions for the General Assembly will not become available until the end of the month.