A special election for the 121st Assembly District seat is planned for Feb. 2 following the death of veteran Stratford Rep. Terry Backer.
Secretary of the State Denise Merrill said the deadline for candidate nominations by the major political parties is Dec. 28. Others seeking a spot on the ballot may apply to Merrill's office for a nomination petition, which must be submitted to the Stratford town clerk by Dec. 28 as well.
Such petitions would require 55 signatures.
Write-in candidates face a Jan. 19 registration deadline.
Backer served 12 terms in the Connecticut House of Representatives. He was the founding Long Island Soundkeeper, charged with protecting the Sound.
He died late Dec. 14 at Bridgeport Hospital after battling brain cancer for five years. He was 61 years old.
