Question 5: Adopting a new state flag (2024 Voter Guide) – Maine Morning Star

Do you favor making the former state flag, replaced as the official flag of the State in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the official flag of the State?

Rather than the blue flag with the crest in the middle, this question asks voters if they would like the official state flag to be the buff flag with a pine tree and star.

The potential new design is already ubiquitous across the state appearing on souvenirs, clothing and many flag poles. Though it is already an iconic image, the Secretary of State held a design contest in June for Mainers to submit their interpretation of the design description.

The new design was the work of Adam Lemire of Gardiner. Although it closely resembles the flag bearing a pine tree and blue star already seen across the state, there are a few intentional details in Lemire’s version. The tree in the design represents an Eastern White Pine, Maine’s state tree, and has 16 branches to represent the 16 counties.

There were more than 400 submissions to Bellow’s design contest from artists in more than 40 states and even abroad. Bellows had help in selecting the winner by the Maine State Archivist, Maine State Historian, a handful of Republican and Democratic lawmakers and a retired journalist.

Contest submissions had to adhere to the specifications outlined in a law that passed last year, which described the colors, spacing and other details that needed to be incorporated in the design.

“Our flag is something every Mainer should be proud of and I look forward to seeing what Mainers across our state choose,” said state Sen. Tim Nangle (D-Cumberland), chair of the State and Local Government Committee.