Brown, Capuano submit signatures for Kennedy seat

BOSTON—Republican state Sen. Scott Brown has collected 17,000 voter signatures, more than enough to ensure a place on the ballot for the special election to replace the late U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Brown dropped off the first batch of 11,500 signatures at Secretary of State William Galvin’s office Friday. He said the remaining signatures will be filed over the next week.

Candidates must collect at least 10,000 signatures from registered voters, submit the names to municipal clerks by Oct. 20 for certification, and then to Galvin’s office by Nov. 3.

A Galvin spokesman said U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano has also submitted more than 10,000 signatures to secure a place on the Democratic ballot.

Attorney General Martha Coakley, also a Democrat, submitted approximately 17,000 signatures earlier this month.