Another Minnesota City Is Discussing Which State Flag To Fly

Another Minnesota city is grappling with what state flag should fly at city-owned buildings. Elk River joins a growing list of greater Minnesota cities that are deciding to fly the previous state flag versus the newly adopted flag. Here's what we know.

March 2nd City Council Meeting

At the March 2nd City Council meeting, Elk River's Mayor Dietz added the state flag topic to the council's agenda, along with an example resolution a resident sent, which would make the 1983 Minnesota state flag the only flag flown at city buildings.

Mayor Dietz, at the March 2nd meeting, stated that he had heard about this topic from various residents and wanted a public hearing, which was to be scheduled for March 16, to hear from residents about the flags before the council decides which flag they would want displayed at city buildings.

After an email exchange with Elk River's City Administrator Calvin Portner, the discussion was moved to the April 6th meeting, where the public will be able to comment versus a traditional public hearing.

Elk River Could Join Growing List Of MN Cities Not Flying Current State Flag

If Elk River's City Council votes to fly the 1983 version of the state flag instead of the current state flag, which was changed in May of 2024, it would join a growing list of Minnesota communities going back to the former flag.

The city of Champlin was one of the most recent cities to fly only the 1983 version of the state flag, which was voted on in late February.

1983 Version Vs. Current State Flag

Since the new flag design was selected, it has been a divisive topic that seems to run strictly along party lines. Many who don't like the new flag felt it was forced upon the state without a vote, while those in favor of the new flag feel it's more distinguished than the 1983 one.

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Why differentiate between 1983 and the new flag? In 1983, the background color of the former flag was lightened in color, compared to the previous versions of the flag.

You can learn more about the differences in the pre- and post-1983 flag here. 

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