BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota’s secretary of state says backers of the University of North Dakota’s Fighting Sioux nickname have enough petition signatures to put to voters the question of whether to keep the name.
Al Jaeger says nickname supporters had about 1,500 signatures more than they needed to have a June vote on the nickname.
The law says UND has to use the Fighting Sioux nickname and an American Indian head logo. The NCAA says the nickname and logo are demeaning to American Indians.
The issue also is in front of the North Dakota Supreme Court. The state Board of Higher Education says the law is unconstitutional, and the board is suing Jaeger in an attempt to block the June vote.
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments on the issue Thursday.
