Maine is getting ready to choose a new state flag, but first, they need to decide on a design.
In November, the people of Maine will vote on whether to adopt this new flag.
The state is holding a contest where anyone can submit a design idea.
There’s just one rule: the design has to be based on Maine’s original flag from the early 1900s. That flag had a simple pine tree and blue star on an off-white background.
A modern version of this old flag became really popular in 2020 during Maine’s 200th birthday celebration. You could see it on hats, sweatshirts, and even license plates. This popularity helped convince lawmakers to let the people of Maine vote on replacing the current flag.
The flag Maine uses now features the state seal, which shows a lumberjack, a sailor, and the state motto, “Dirigo.” That’s a Latin word meaning “I lead,” referring to the North Star.
The design process was going smoothly until news came out about a similar flag at Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s vacation home. That flag, which also has a pine tree, dates back to the Revolutionary War. But recently, some people have connected it to the false idea that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.
When asked about this, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who is in charge of the contest, didn’t seem too concerned. She said this flag debate is happily free of partisan politics, and every voter in Maine gets a say this fall.
The final design will be presented by Bellows, but she needs everyone’s help.
She invited all Mainers to think about sending in a design for consideration. The deadline is July 19.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.