Virtual poll used to select flag design

Submitted images for the new Howard County flag. The new flag will be chosen later this fall. The public is invited to rank and comment on the choices. Courtesy Howard County Government

Howard County is getting a new flag, and the top 10 designs are available online for residents to view and vote on.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced Wednesday that the Howard County Flag Commission has launched a virtual poll to gather public feedback on the county’s future flag.

Following testimony submitted at a Sept. 30 public hearing, two work sessions in October and in compliance with the commission’s design guidelines and criteria, the commission voted to narrow the 184 eligible design submissions to 10 for public vote, according to a county news release. Votes can be cast through midnight, Jan. 12.

“After thoughtful consideration, the Howard County Flag Commission has advanced 10 unique and compelling design options for additional public input,” Ball said in the release. “I encourage every resident of Howard County to provide their thoughts on these proposed flags to help us identify the designs that best reflect our values today and inspire generations to come.”

The virtual poll asks participants to rank the flag designs from one to 10, with one being the most favorable design, according to the release. Participants are limited to one poll submission and must rank all 10. The poll also invites participants to share additional feedback about the designs, including what design elements of each they like best, dislike or how it should be modified.

“We are thankful for the considerable engagement from the public throughout this process so far and thrilled to be able to share the commission’s top 10 designs with our residents,” Coleen West, executive director of the Howard County Arts Council and chair of the commission said in the release. “We hope that members of our community will share their voices over the next two months in order to help the commission finalize its recommendations in the new year.”

Based on the poll results, the top five preferred designs will be presented to the commission for final review, according to the release. The commission will then select three finalists to be presented to the county executive for his final vote, which will be presented to the county council for legislative approval. The three finalists chosen by the commission will each receive an honorarium of $1,000 for their work.

To learn more about the commission, its upcoming meetings and redesign process, visit howardcountymd.gov/flag. For questions or comments about the flag design and selection process email [e-mail].

Got a news tip? Contact Allana Haynes at [e-mail] or 240-756-5668.