NOVEMBER 6, 2024 — Maine voters on Tuesday opted to keep the state’s current flag, rejecting a proposal to replace it with the historic 1901 “Pine Tree Flag” design, reported the Maine Morning Star.
55% of Maine voters opposed Question 5, a referendum to restore the Pine Tree Flag as the official state flag, while 45% voted in support of the change.
According to the Portland Press Herald, more than 669,000 ballots were cast on the measure, with results confirmed by The Associated Press on Wednesday afternoon after 80% of votes had been counted.
The ballot measure, introduced by lawmakers in 2023, proposed a return to Maine’s original 1901 flag, which features a pine tree and blue star. Supporters argued that the simple design offers a unique and recognizable identity for Maine, contrasting with the current flag featuring the state seal on a blue background.
Longtime advocate and vexillologist David Martucci, who has championed the Pine Tree Flag for decades, expressed disappointment but encouraged residents to continue using the historic design.
“It’s still a Maine flag,” Martucci said, adding, “You can still buy it, you can still fly it. This doesn’t change people from using it.”
Martucci, who has long argued that the 1901 design better captures Maine’s heritage, plans to continue advocating for its official adoption.
Image: CC0 1.0
