Recent polling data shows voters have had a historic shift in opinion on changing the state flag

Yesterday, the Mississippi Economic Council released polling data from a recent survey saying 72% of Mississippians agree with changing the state flag.

The poll was performed on June 16th-18th by the national firm, Tarrance Group.

According to the release, in 18 months, Mississippi voters have had a historic shift in opinion on changing the state flag, from unfavorable in 2019 (54-43) to favorable (55-41).

“At this particular point, we need to put ourselves in other people’s shoes as best we can,” says Gerald Hudson. “I know southerners articulate the flag means heritage to them, it means pride, it means history to them-but those of us from the african american community, the flag means oppression.”

The MEC states, their collected data supports their call for the legislature to act this week and vote to do what most people want and that’s change the flag.

Governor Tate Reeves says he may not stand in the way of legislation if they decide to remove the emblem from the state flag. Reeves expresses in a post he made Wednesday, “If legislators get those votes, a veto would be pointless, The debate would be over and the flag would change.”

Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hoseman announced in a press release that he is open to changing the state flag.

“One of the things that the governor and other politicians do, they will let the people decide. I think that’s an escape goal. I think that’s a lack of leadership.”

The MEC says they will continue to advocate for the changing of the flag and will release a memo for the Tarrance Group further detailing the findings of the recent poll.