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The Utah Democratic Party on Wednesday requested that the GOP have Salt Lake County Mayor Nancy Workman's doctor sign a statement saying the embattled mayor is physically or mentally disabled.

If the Republicans decline?

"If they don't do that, voters are entitled to elections that are fair and legal. We will take court action," said Democratic Party Chairman Donald Dunn at a morning news conference.

The Salt Lake County Republican Party has requested that election workers replace Workman the Republican incumbent who has withdrawn from the race with write-in challenger Ellis Ivory. The Democratic-led clerk's office, though, has rejected an initial attempt to put Ivory on the ballot. Clerk Sherrie Swensen says she will allow the change if the GOP's Central Committee votes to make Ivory its candidate.

Republican Party Chairwoman Tiani Coleman did not immediately return a call for comment.

Dunn said that he has assembled a legal team and is ready to file a suit if the Workman's doctor won't sign the statement written by the Democratic Party. The language closely mirrors the state law that allows a party to replace a candidate on the ballot if the party's nominee is unable to serve if elected.

Workman already submitted a letter from her doctor when she withdrew from the race.

"In my opinion, the strain upon her physical and emotional condition [disables] her from continuing as a political candidate without unreasonably [compromising] her health," wrote doctor Philip Roberts.

Dunn said that doesn't meet the statutory requirements to replace a candidate. He argues it sets a bad precedent for future candidates to bow out of races when they face scandal or are low in the polls.

The Democratic Party's comments go against the wishes of its own nominee, Peter Corroon, who has criticized efforts to replace Workman but has asked his party not to sue.

"What they're asking for is justified," Corroon said, referring to Dunn's comments. But, "I don't think it would benefit this election. We need to get past the scandals and get back to the election."

Corroon, Ivory and unaffiliated candidate Merrill Cook are vying for the mayor's post.

Workman, whose term is up in January, has been placed on paid leave while facing two felony charges of misuse of public funds. She denies any criminal wrongdoing and is scheduled for a jury trial on Feb. 1.