Residents of Howard County, Maryland Invited to Vote on New Flag Design

NOVEMBER 13, 2024 — For the next two months, Howard County, Maryland residents can participate in a virtual poll to select their favorite from 10 flag design finalists, according to a press release by the County today.

This public input follows a significant community-driven process to reimagine the county’s official flag, which has remained unchanged since 1968.

The Howard County Flag Commission has launched a virtual poll open until January 12, 2025, giving residents the opportunity to rank each of the 10 selected flag designs from 184 submissions gathered earlier this year.

After the voting period, the five top-ranked designs will advance for final evaluation by the Flag Commission, which will select three finalists for recommendation to Howard County Executive Calvin Ball.

“The Howard County flag should represent the vibrancy and incredible diversity of our community,” Ball said, encouraging resident engagement to help identify designs that align with current values.

These three designs will each receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the final choice will be presented to the County Council for approval.

The initiative to modernize Howard County’s flag began in January 2024, and the submissions phase took place from April to June 2024. Under new guidelines, designs were required to reflect inclusivity and community spirit, and the chosen flag will be flown at government buildings and featured on the county’s online platforms.

Howard County’s existing flag, adopted in 1968, prominently incorporates elements of the Maryland state flag along with symbols of the county’s agricultural roots, including a golden wheat sheaf and a green county outline.

Image: Public domain

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