ST PAUL, Minn — Republican state lawmakers plan to introduce a series of bills seeking to put the new Minnesota state flag and seal designs to a public vote, or make changes before the symbols become official this spring.
The State Emblems Redesign Commission, created by the legislature last session, approved the new state seal and state flag in December. The designs have sparked backlash, particularly among conservative groups, who claim the public wasn't given a say in the process.
"We are advocating for nothing more than the right of Minnesotans to vote on what represents them," said. Rep. Bjorn Olson (R-Fairmont).
DFL Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon has said a direct public vote on the flag likely wouldn't be allowable under the state constitution, as Minnesota does not have statewide referendums like other states.
However, Olson and his colleagues are suggesting three potential ways to put the matter to a public vote.
One option would follow a similar method to the local sales tax referendums, which requires legislative approval to appear on a ballot. A secondary plan would put the measure on the ballot as a constitutional amendment. A third alternative would call for a public poll followed by legislative action in the following session.
If the public vote options fail, Republicans are calling for a new commission to reconsider the design.
"There is dissatisfaction with the current flag, let's go back to the drawing board, try again," Olson said.
Others in the GOP have suggested changing the approval process within the legislature, with GOP Rep. Dean Urdahl calling for the new flag design to be contingent on a two-thirds vote of both houses of the Minnesota legislature.
"If we can't get the vote of the people, at least the voices of the people can be heard through their elected representatives," said Rep. Urdahl (R-Litchfield).
Additional proposed actions for the state seal call for removing a Dakota language phrase from the state seal design. Aaron Wittnebel, who served on the emblems commission representing the Ojibwe community, said the inclusion of the phrase violated the commission's own rules by singling out one community over others.
Another proposal calls for restoring the state's founding year of 1858 to the state seal.
Any of the proposed GOP legislative actions would need to pass through a DFL trifecta to succeed in the current session, as Democrats hold the governor's office and maintain majorities in both the Minnesota House and Senate.
If there is no legislative action to change or reject the designs, the new state flag and seal will become official on May 11.
Watch more Minnesota politics:
Watch the latest political coverage from the Land of 10,000 Lakes in our YouTube playlist:
