The “objector” provision keeps the Illinois political process open by inviting the participation of any voter, including political “outsiders.” It does require that the objector “state [his] ... interest.”
10 ILCS 5/10–8. Of course, the challenger is more likely than not to be a supporter of the candidate's opponent. It is unrealistic to think that disinterested concern about the integrity of the electoral process would sufficiently motivate people to police candidates' signature gathering efforts. The provision further guards against entirely frivolous challenges by requiring that an objector state his or her name, residence address, the nature of the objection, and the relief sought.
Id. A neutral body, the State Board of Elections, holds a judicially reviewable hearing to determine whether any of the objections are well-founded. (Defs.' Mot. to Dismiss at 6.) The plaintiffs' suggestions would either entirely exclude voters from participation in this process, if only a neutral body can bring challenges, or attach prohibitive costs to such participation, if a threshold showing of validity has to be made and if penalties for unsubstantiated challenges are imposed. In short, the plaintiffs' cure is worse than the disease.