The Election Commission on Monday morning voted unanimously to certify the successful petition drive to force a vote next August on the city's domestic partners ordinance.
Charlotte Mullis-Morgan, election administrator, said 11,104 names were turned in and 7,755 were found to be those of valid city residents registered to vote. The number needed was 4,469.
Meanwhile, Assistant City Attorney Phil Noblett has advised members of the City Council to either rescind their action or certify that an election would go forward.
The ordinance would allow unmarried spouses of city employees to get health benefits, including same-sex partners and live-in boyfriends and girlfriends.