ST PAUL, Minn. — The State Emblems Redesign Commission revealed its top six finalists for the new flag that will fly across Minnesota.
The group was supposed to pick five, but at its first in-person meeting Tuesday, it voted to amend the design process and are asking the public to weigh in on the finalists.
It will now have to pick its favorite design by Jan. 1, 2024.
"We all knew going into this that we have a tight deadline here," said the State Emblems Redesign Commission Vice President Anita Talsman Gaul. "I'm not sure we're going to have time for tweaks."
Talsman Gaul, and 12 others, voted by placing stickers on their top choices to narrow the finalists down from 2,200 public submissions. In the first round, they ended up choosing 18 flags before narrowing it down to the final six.
"You have to think, fast forward 100 years, will that look as cool?" said Talsman Gaul. "Will that look as timeless?"
Deep discussions followed about what will be a dramatic shift in imagery that hasn't really changed in more than 100 years. Some say that the current state flag is offensive to Native Americans and lacks basic design principals.
Governor Tim Walz signed this new step into law last spring and appointed some of the commissioners, including Talsman Gaul.
"That's the beauty of having all these different voices here; yes, it draws out the conversation, but it also brings up the things we have to think through this back, front, forward and reverse," said Talsman Gaul.
They favored just a few colors, particularly green and blue, and the North Star — simple symbols that still carry a lot of meaning for people across the entire state.
The commission can settle on any one design and still tweak it to their liking.
Their job also includes finalizing a new state seal from about 400 submissions.
The new flag will fly on May 11, which is Statehood Day, unless the legislature vetoes it.
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