MARCH 15, 2026 — In New York, the City of Albany has initiated a formal process to replace its flag, with a specialized task force now developing a competition to source a successor by mid-2027, says the Times Union.
The move follows the Albany Common Council’s March 2024 approval of legislation to establish the Task Force on the Municipal Flag, which held its inaugural meeting in November.
Proponents of the change, including Common Council member and project sponsor Owusu Anane, argue the current design lacks public recognition and fails to adhere to established vexillological standards.
The existing banner features an orange, white, and blue horizontal tricolour charged with the city seal, which depicts a sloop, a beaver, a farmer, and an Indigenous figure. Critics contend the design is overly complex and violates the North American Vexillological Association’s principles of simplicity.
Ted Kaye, Secretary of NAVA, noted that while the flag’s colours successfully “echo the original Dutch horizontal tri-bar,” the inclusion of a detailed seal hinders its effectiveness, stating the “fundamental purpose is signalling at a distance.”
Beyond aesthetic concerns, the current flag has faced scrutiny regarding its historical and cultural symbolism.
Former resident Adam Aleksic, who launched a petition for a redesign, argues the colour palette is inextricably linked to the Dutch Prince’s Flag, which served as the basis for the South African flag during the apartheid era.
Furthermore, Aleksic characterized the seal’s depiction of a Haudenosaunee person as “questionable,” suggesting it relies on inaccurate “clip-art” representations rather than authentic traditional attire.
Kaye, on the other hand, maintained that common colours should not be abandoned due to their use by other regimes, noting, “there are countries that use red, white and blue. Should we take those off our flag? I don’t think so.”
The task force plans to launch an online submission portal by late 2026, welcoming designs from local and international contributors. Task force secretary Ben Houck indicated the group intends to shortlist five to ten candidates for a public vote restricted to Albany residents.
