The lawsuit filed last week alleges Godfrey did not register his personal campaign committee or report donations to that committee, as required by city code.

But in a court filing Thursday, the attorneys for Godfrey's co-defendants - City Recorder Cindi Mansell and City Attorney Gary Williams - called the lawsuit "frivolous" and "meritless."

"This case was filed for political purposes," the filing by Salt Lake City attorney Stanley Preston said. Lead plaintiff Dorothy Littrell, it said, "has engaged in a personal campaign aimed to tarnish Mayor Godfrey's reputation and improperly influence the outcome of the election."

The plaintiffs have asked Judge Parley Baldwin to require Mansell and Williams to scratch Godfrey's name from the ballot and remove any other candidates who have failed to comply with the code.

None of the eight municipal candidates - Godfrey, his challenger Susan Van Hooser and six council candidates - registered and reported donations in the names of campaign committees. Instead, they reported donations in their own names.

Brian Barnard, the Salt Lake City attorney representing Littrell and the 57 others, said the lawsuit is not petty.

"Maybe they have an argument that the spirit [of the city code] was followed. I don't think there is any doubt the letter of the ordinance was violated."

An Oct. 23 hearing is set on Barnard's motions for an injunction and extraordinary writ and on Preston's motion to dismiss.

Meanwhile, Weber County's clerk said Thursday that the ballots are being printed.

kmoulton@sltrib.com