With all the serious stuff filling the front page of newspapers from political purges to wacky policy pronouncements to revenge plots and damning investigations kept under seal — but enough about Matt Gaetz — Howard County is now providing a welcome distraction. For those who may not be up on the latest events in Maryland’s “Choose Civility” county (it’s the official motto), they are sorting through 10 finalists in a competition to design a new county flag. And here’s the best part: The commission overseeing the process is accepting online votes from the public on the contenders. Just log in and rank the winners from the, um, less winning winners.

The county’s existing flag was designed more than 50 years ago and echoes the state flag and its Crossland family red and white coat of arms. Given the use of the Crossland Banner by pro-secession Marylanders at the time of the Civil War, it’s understandable that Howard County is feeling a bit squeamish and looking for a replacement, especially one that better reflects the county’s diversity.

Ah, but here’s the trick: How does someone represent Howard County of the 21st century?

We don’t want to give anything away but quite a few entrants seem to want to capture the county’s farm heritage. That’s fair but why no equal time to its suburban sprawl? Perhaps the outline of a classic cul-de-sac? Why not illustrate directions to The Mall in Columbia? How about a backdrop of flooding in downtown Ellicott City? Stalks of wheat are nice but trust us when we say, that’s not the first thing that enters the mind when Howard County comes up in conversation.

Our personal favorite (and, granted, we’re not in the election endorsement business these days) is the one featuring an open book and sunrise, a nice nod to the county’s excellent public schools and educated populace. It was also done in what appears to be crayon which makes it all the more endearing. But, please, take a look, learn more about the commission and cast a vote at www.howardcountymd.gov/boards-commissions/howard-county-flag-commission.

As we admitted last February not long after Howard County Executive Calvin Ball named commission members, most Marylanders probably couldn’t pick their local flag from a police lineup. But there’s something to be said for providing a moment of introspection — and artistic outlet — at a time when we could all use the distraction. Voting closes at midnight on Jan. 12.