Statewide Ballot Measure 3 - House Bill 1796 - Flag Referendum

Summary

House Bill 1796 is an act to establish the Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag; to prescribe the membership of the commission and to provide for its organization and meetings; to provide that the new design for the Mississippi State Flag recommended by the commission shall not include the design of the Confederate Battle Flag, but shall include the words "In God We Trust". The new flag design will be presented to the Governor and the Legislature by September 14, 2020. The new flag design will be printed on the ballot. Voters will be asked to Vote "Yes" or "No" on whether the printed design shall be the official Mississippi State Flag. If the design is not approved, the commission shall create another design to be voted on in a 2021 special election. 

A “YES” vote on the HB1796 Question is a vote to approve the state flag designed by the Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag.

A “NO” vote on the HB1796 Question is a vote opposing the adoption of the redesigned Mississippi State Flag and in support of created a new redesign to be submitted to Mississippi voters in a 2021 special election.

Arguments

"This is not a political moment to me, but a solemn occasion to lead our Mississippi family to come together to be reconciled and to move on", in support of Statewide Ballot Measure 3 (Learn more)

“By changing our flag, we don’t abandon our founding principles,” he said. “We embrace them more fully by doing what is right. We’re not moving further away from our Founding Fathers’ visions. We’re moving closer to them. We’re not destroying our heritage; we’re fulfilling it.”, in support of Statewide Ballot Measure 3 (Learn more)

"I appreciate our state legislators for having the courage and conviction to make this necessary change to our state flag," he said. "As I have maintained since 2015, Mississippians deserve a banner that unites us rather than divides us.", in support of Statewide Ballot Measure 3 (Learn more)

“It is a symbol of oppression in the Black community and it is a symbol of slavery. Everything that has been devastating to African Americans and to especially African Americans in the South, everything that has been a complete and utter disaster for us, that flag represents.”, in support of Statewide Ballot Measure 3 (Learn more)

"I can see where any symbol can be subject to misinterpretation," McDaniel said. "...I'm going to come down on the side of history and tradition.", in opposition to Statewide Ballot Measure 3 (Learn more)

“I think we owe it to history to push back against a movement like that. And ultimately, in my mind, it is not about a flag at all, this is about the people having a voice. Ultimately we will be pleased with whatever the people decide, it’s just to take the issue away from them causes more harm in the long run then it should.”, in opposition to Statewide Ballot Measure 3 (Learn more)

Measure Details