Maine votes on new state flag with pine tree: Here's why

A measure to change Maine's official state flag is at the center of five referendum questions heading into the state's 2024 general election.

The referendum's fifth question would replace the current official Maine state flag, which is blue and has the state's coat of arms at the center, with a slightly updated rendition of the previous state flag, which features a green pine tree and the North Star on a tan background.

The question is: Do you support making the former state flag, which was replaced as the state's official flag in 1909 and commonly known as the Pine Tree Flag, the state's official flag?

The Pine Tree Flag was the original state flag, adopted in 1901 before being replaced by the current flag in 1909. In the new version by Adam Lemire of Gardiner, the tree is an Eastern White Pine, the state tree of Maine, and has 16 branches to represent Maine's 16 counties.

It has become a slightly controversial ballot measure: Some conservatives view the flag change as a sign of “wokeness” since the state seal on the current flag features two white men next to the coat of arms. However, the state seal itself will not be changed.

The Pine Tree Flag is already an iconic image and appears on many souvenirs, clothing and flagpoles.

This measure has received the most attention in Maine, but there will be four other questions on the ballot.

Four more referendum questions in Maine

Question 1 proposes a $5,000 cap on contributions to political action committees that make “independent expenditures” in support or opposition of candidates in Maine.

Question 2 proposes the issuance of a $25 million bond to help fund scientific and technological research.

Question 3 Proposes the issuance of a $10 million bond to support the restoration of historic buildings owned by government and nonprofit organizations.

Question 4 proposes a $30 million bond issue to design, construct and maintain a statewide trail system.

Four more referendum questions in Maine

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