One of our Community Colleges in Scottsdale gave the students a chance to select their mascot a number of years ago (early 70's)...and they decided to be the Scottsdale "Artichokes".
Long story short: the Student Senate was getting back at the Administration because of a perceived wrong involving expenditure of funds supporting athletics...the Senate gave the student body 3 choices: Artichokes (the winner), Rutabagas or Scoundrels. After the election, the college voided the results and in a subsequent election Artichokes beat out Drovers (supported by the athletes) 70% to 30%. This time the Administration let the results stand. How's that for absurd?