State Representative Steve Jacob (R-Altura) said he was pleased to learn of new legislation that would allow Minnesotans to vote on the new flag design that has been approved by the Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission.
“I’ve received correspondence from a good number of residents on the flag topic, and to date all of them want their voices heard,” Jacob said. “This is not a decision that should be made by a group of 13. Every Minnesotan should be allowed to vote on whether they approve of the new state flag.”
During the commission’s meetings, the Minnesota Secretary of State stated it was unconstitutional to allow the public to vote on the new state flag. In response, Jacob said non-partisan researchers found several legal ways that would make the process constitutional and put the flag design up for a vote this November.
“As with any vote, if the majority votes yes, we have a new state flag,” Jacob said. “If the majority votes no, the commission goes back to work.”
Jacob said a recent analysis found that roughly 75% of Minnesotans have some level of dissatisfaction over the process to create a new state flag or the final product itself.