Vote “Yes” on Question 5. It is very hard to tell from any distance that Maine’s flag is the flag of Maine. It could be any one of the many state flags, using what sarcastic vexillologists call a “seal on a bed sheet.”

You won’t find the tribes, women or people of color represented on the state seal, but, while not yet inclusive of our whole population, the seal, as is, does an adequate job telling a brief story of Maine: we work and value the land, sea and forests. We value nature and wildlife. We lead, think for ourselves and work hard under the gaze of the North Star. But this is a narrative.

A flag should be a symbol, readily recognizable at any distance, and making clear, immediately, what it represents – Maine. The new flag will do exactly that. Cost? Fly the new only at the scheduled retirement of the old.

Kenneth MacArthur
South Portland