FARGO, N.D. (AP) – Supporters of the University of North
Dakota’s retired Fighting Sioux nickname say they will wait until
December to submit petitions for an initiated measure.

     The petitioners faced a midnight deadline on Wednesday to turn
in signatures to Secretary of State Al Jaeger in order for the
issue to be placed on the November ballot.

     The Spirit Lake Committee for Understanding and Respect, and the
Fighting Sioux Ballot Measures Committee is proposing a
constitutional amendment that says UND’s sports teams must always
be known as the Fighting Sioux.
     Sean Johnson, spokesman for the two groups, says the nickname
supporters did not want their issue to be lumped in with other
ballot measures in November.
     Nickname backers have until Dec. 12 to submit 27,000 signatures
in order to make the next ballot.