A group seeking to end affirmative action in Nebraska turned in their petitions Thursday.

The Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative took their petitions to the secretary of state's office. They want to add a constitutional amendment barring discrimination or preferential treatment based on race or gender.

They needed about 114,000 signatures to get their initiative on the ballot in November. Spokesman Doug Tietz said they've collected more than 167,000 signatures.

The Secretary of State's Office must now verify the signatures before determining if the issue will be on the November ballot.

A group called Nebraskans United said petition circulators used misleading tactics to gather signatures. They hope to keep the initiative off the ballot by challenging the validity of signatures on the petitions.

Opponents include the University of Nebraska and Southeast Community College. They say the amendment would end programs designed to increase opportunities for minorities and women.