Special Senate Election Expected For June 25

A date has been selected for the special election to fill U.S. Sen. John Kerry's seat.

Secretary of State William Galvin says the election will likely be June 25, with a primary on April 30. Galvin says he's confirmed the date with Gov. Deval Patrick, who by law officially sets the date.

Patrick said Monday he expects to announce a temporary interim senator on Wednesday.

Kerry is expected to be confirmed by the Senate as the nation's new secretary of state Tuesday. Galvin said Senate officials expect Kerry to submit a letter of resignation Tuesday, effective Friday.

"If that is what occurs, and we believe that will occur, then that will start the clock running under our state law as to when the special election has to be held," Galvin said. "State law requires that it has to be between 145 to 160 days, but the governor makes the actual decision as to the date."

Galvin said he'd like the election to take place before July, when many voters may be away for summer vacation. The primary contests will take place around the same time that many cities and towns hold their municipal elections.

"I would like to give communities the opportunity, if they wish, to piggyback their town elections on that April date, the primary day, to save some money and also obviously to allow for more convenience for voters, better turnouts, all those factors," Galvin said.

Candidates will have four weeks to collect the 10,000 signatures needed to get on the ballot.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Edward Markey has already announced he will seek the seat. Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown is considering running on the Republican side.

The election is expected to cost several million dollars.

With reporting by The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom