Michigan has a pretty iconic state flag. It has lots of words I don't know the meaning of, some fun animals, and a man standing with his rifle next to a river with a pretty sunset in the background. This has been our state flag since 1865 and is generally well-liked.

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So it's pretty surprising that a new bill has been introduced to create a new state flag, as soon as 2026.

The Michigan and American flags against a blue sky.
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Flag History

Michigan has been a state since 1837, but an official Michigan flag was not adopted until 1865. Until 1865, the state used multiple flags with the Coat of Arms design on them. The official flag features Michigan's Coat of Arms displayed on a blue background.

New Flag Bill

Representative Phill Skaggs introduced HB 6190, which aims to establish a new state flag design beginning January 1st, 2026. Art professionalshistorians, individuals from universities around the state, and individuals appointed by state reps.

READ MORE: Revisiting Michigan’s Snowstorms That Made History |

The contest would run from January 26th to July 26th, with a winner announced on September 26th. It seems that Michigan is on a bit of a contest kick after the successful "I Voted" sticker contest.

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Breaking Down The Flag

The State of Michigan provides a full breakdown of the history of the Great Seal, but here are the quick facts:

  • an American eagle holding three arrows and an olive branch with 13 olives, showing we are ready to defend our principles, while also "extending an olive branch" to make peace.
  • "E Plurbis Unum" stands for "From many, one"
  • "Tuebor" means "I will defend"
  • "Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam Circumspice" means, "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you", referring to our two different

As daylight begins yielding to twilight, The Crisp Point Lighthouse at sunset on Lake Superior, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, USA - A one hour drive from Tahquamenon Falls, mostly dirt roads
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The bill has been sent to the Committee on Government Operations for review and possible approval. You can view all the bill details here.

Winners of Michigan 'I Voted' Sticker Competition - Including Viral Werewolf Design

In Spring of 2024, Michigan launched the "I Voted" sticker design contest.

More than 480 designs were submitted and over 57,700 public votes were cast for the winners.

Three winning designs were selected from each separate category:
  • Elementary/middle school (grades K-8)
  • High school (grades 9-12)
  • General entry (open to Michigan residents of all ages)
Check out the nine winners below, including a werewolf design by a middle-schooler that people are LOVING online.

Gallery Credit: Janna

All ArtPrize Winners from 2009 to 2024

In its 15th year, ArtPrize continues to draw hundreds of thousands of people to Downtown Grand Rapids each year to explore the art and venues dispersed throughout the city. While there are many winners each year, there is only ONE Grand Prize winner determined by the public via voting. Here is each winner from 2009 to now. All photos are courtesy of ArtPrize.

Gallery Credit: Tommy McNeill