New flag design selections are down to two

The nine-member Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag have narrowed its selections from the five selected last week down to two.

This morning, the commission ran prototypes of all five of the finalists up a flagpole at the Two Mississippi Museums to see how they would look flying in the breeze. Previously, members only had computer-generated images to judge.

The two final selections will be posted on the Mississippi Archives and History website soon.

Previous plans called for a period of public comments on the five finalists beginning today. It’s unclear if public comments will be invited on the two selections instead.

The Commission has until Sept. 2 to narrow the field further to one. The one selection will be presented to the governor and the Legislature, and will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot for an up or down vote from Mississippians. If the voters reject the commission’s selection, the process begins again for a a vote in 2021.

The Vicksburg Daily News will provide a link to the two final selections when they are posted.