Time is running out for candidates to try to kick their opponents off the February ballot in Chicago. Tuesday is the deadline for those objections to be filed.

During the election four years ago for mayor and other city offices, 208 objections were filed with the Chicago Board of Elections. This year, about 50 percent more candidates filed than in 2007,  so expect significantly more objections.

These challenges are often filed by people associated with opposing campaigns. it is a chance to narrow the field before any votes are cast.

The stated reasons for objections vary: maybe the candidate forgot to file some paperwork, or turned it in too late; maybe some of the signatures the campaign collected appear to be forged; or maybe the candidate doesn’t meet the residency requirement, as some have alleged against ex-White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

The staff and commissioners at the election board will go through the objections, examine documents, hold hearings and make a ruling. Those rulings can then be appealed to the courts, meaning it’ll likely be weeks before there’s a final list of candidates.