SPRINGFIELD -- Candidates for Illinois' February primary election are already trying to survive, with some races are stacked with six or more candidates each.

In the highest-profile statewide races, operatives are challenging candidates' nominating petitions. If the Illinois Board of Elections decides candidates don't have enough petition signatures or have messed up the paperwork, the candidates can be tossed from the ballot.

Among those being challenged is East Moline Democrat Mike Boland, a state lawmaker running for lieutenant governor. Four of six Democrats running for the post have seen their bids challenged.

On Tuesday, Boland predicted his petitions would hold up. He said he filed far more than the minimum required.

"I don't think it'll be successful," Boland said of the challenge.

In the Democratic race for governor, Oak Park attorney Ed Scanlan and William "Dock" Walls of Chicago have both been challenged. Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes haven't been.

Democrats Raja Krishnamoorthi for comptroller and Mark Doyle for treasurer have also seen their campaigns contested.

"The challenge to my petitions is nothing less than harassment and intimidation," Krishnamoorthi said.

In the Democratic lieutenant governor's race, state Sen. Terry Link of Waukegan, state Rep. Art Turner of Chicago and Thomas Castillo of Elmhurst all have been challenged.

In the U.S. Senate race, Democrats Willie Boyd Jr. of Greenville and Corey Dabney of Aurora have been challenged, along with Republicans Thomas Kuna of Jerseyville and Robert Zadek of Rockford.

Election board assistant executive director Rupert Borgsmiller said the cases will be taken up in the next several weeks. The board members will look at the reasons behind the challenges, inspect the paperwork, and decide whether the candidate should be kicked off the ballot.

Reasons given for the objections aren't public record yet, Borgsmiller said.

The election board is set to certify the February ballot in early December, he said.