Fagan, 1,269; Corbett, 844; P.T. Larson, 586

The number of signatures that candidates and their supporters amass on nomination petitions required to run for city elective office isn't anything like the more important number -- the number of votes on election day.

It's common, for instance, for individuals to sign the petitions of many candidates with the idea that people want a nice competitive election, no matter who they someone might support or ultimately vote for.

One candidate, too, might have an retinue of foot soldiers camped at crowded public events, while another might want to go door-to-door himself or herself to get signatures.

So the number of signatures is what it is.

In the race for mayor, candidates needed a minimum of 499 signatures or 5 percent of the number of citywide voters in the last City Hall election.

Three mayoral candidates now have filed their nomination papers with the City Clerk's Office.

Brian Fagan, a current at-large council member and a local attorney, collected 1,269 signatures; Ron Corbett, vice president of trucking firm CRST International Inc. and a former state legislator and former president/CEO of the Cedar Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, turned in 844 signatures; and perennial City Hall candidate P.T. Larson secured 586 signatures, according to the City Clerk's Office.