Waving goodbye: Washington lawmakers want to redesign state flag for a new era
Feb 13, 2025, 11:59 AM
Washington State Flag (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
Three Democratic representatives have introduced a bill to establish a committee overseeing the redesign of the Washington state flag. House Bill 1938, sponsored by Representatives Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds), Julia Reed (D-Seattle) and Greg Nance (D-Kitsap), aims to create a flag that the lawmakers believe better reflects Washington’s unique identity and diverse population.
Critiques of the current flag
Washington’s current state flag features a detailed portrait of George Washington on a dark green field.
According to the bill’s text, supporters of the change argue that the design is overly complex, difficult to reproduce, and does not effectively represent the state’s distinct character. Additionally, some believe the use of George Washington’s image lacks a direct connection to the state’s history and cultural diversity.
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Proposed Changes
House Bill 1938 proposes the formation of the Washington State Flag Redesign Committee, which would include members from the Washington State Arts Commission, state legislators, historians, designers, cultural leaders, tribal representatives, and citizens from various regions.
The committee’s mandate includes developing a new flag design that accurately reflects Washington’s shared history, resources, and diverse communities. The process emphasizes public engagement through outreach to schools, community organizations, tribes, public forums, and online surveys.
The final design will be selected by the committee and presented to voters in a statewide referendum.
Historical Context and Previous Redesign Efforts
Washington’s state flag was officially adopted in 1923.
In 2001, the North American Vexillological Association ranked Washington’s flag 47th out of 72 U.S. state, U.S. territorial, and Canadian provincial flags due to its complicated seal.
In recent years, individuals have proposed alternative designs. For instance, a Bellingham graphic artist who previously designed the city’s flag and official seal initiated a campaign to modernize the state flag. His design aimed to create a more distinctive and meaningful symbol for Washington but was never adopted.
Washington is not alone in reconsidering its state flag design. States like Mississippi and Utah have recently undertaken successful redesign efforts to create flags that better represent their current identities and values.
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Next Steps
If House Bill 1938 is enacted, the Washington State Flag Redesign Committee will work toward adopting a new design by July 1, 2028. The proposed design will then be submitted to voters for approval in a general election, ensuring that any change to the state flag reflects the will of Washington’s citizens.
The bill will have its first public hearing on February 18 before the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee, with a final committee vote set for three days later.
Matt Markovich often covers the state legislature and public policy for KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of Matt’s stories here. Follow him on X, or email him here.
