BISMARCK (AP) - Two ballot initiatives that support the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname are ready for supporters to sign.
Secretary of State Al Jaeger approved the petitions for circulation Tuesday.
One measure is a constitutional amendment. It would require UND to use the Fighting Sioux nickname.
Supporters need to turn in about 27,000 petition signatures by Aug. 8 to put the idea on the ballot for the November 2012 general election.
The second proposal would reverse the North Dakota Legislature's decision last month to allow UND to drop the Fighting Sioux nickname. That petition needs about 13,500 signatures by Feb. 7.
UND has been taking steps to retire the nickname since the Legislature voted to let the school drop it.