The Green, Constitution, and Independence Parties are fending off claims that they don’t have enough valid signatures to get on the ballot for the governor’s race.

Andrew Spiegel represents the Green party before the state’s Election Board.

He said the signature objection process is unfair: It trips up minor parties, but lets other candidates sail through.

“If nobody objects to your nominating petitions,” Spiegel said, “your signature requirement is out the window.

“You can be on the ballot with only one signature, even your own signature, and if nobody objects, you’re on the ballot.

“But if the Democrats or the Republicans decide to object to a third party candidate, and they’re just one signature short, that candidate is off the ballot.”

Spiegel calls this year’s signature challenges “fraudalent.”

He’s calling on the state to impose penalties on people making frivolous signature objections.

The state board of elections says Illinois third parties should pursue such issues in the legislature, not the election board.