Maine Secretary of State Discusses the Cost of Potential State Flag Change

Proposed flag of Maine featuring a pine tree

OCTOBER 9, 2024 — Maine is set to hold a referendum in November to decide on a new state flag. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows addressed concerns in an interview with local news network WMTW regarding the financial implications of this change, assuring that the legislation does not mandate immediate flag replacements. Instead, she noted that state agencies will gradually replace flags as they become worn or damaged.

Bellows explained that both local and state agencies have pre-existing budgets allocated for maintenance, meaning the transition to a new state flag will not incur any additional costs.

According to the New York Times, the winning design of the new flag was created by architect Adam Lemire. Contest participants were encouraged to create designs reminiscent of Maine’s original flag, known as the Pine Tree Flag, which was utilized in the early 1900s, which Lemire confirmed as his primarily inspiration for the design.

The flag redesign initiative was initiated by a state law enacted last year. According to the latest Pan Atlantic Poll, public opinion on the flag change is divided, with 40% of Mainers in favor of the new design, another 40% wishing to retain the current flag, and 20% still undecided.

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