Several of the finalists selected by the state flag commission.

The nine-member commission tasked with choosing one design for the new Mississippi state flag announced 147 finalists on Monday after viewing nearly 3,000 submissions.

Click here to view the 147 designs that are still in contention.

The Mississippi Legislature, after decades of debate, voted to remove the 1894 state flag with its divisive Confederate battle emblem. The legislation it passed created the commission to choose a new flag to put before voters on the Nov. 3 ballot. Voters can either approve or reject the new design. If they reject it, the commission will go back to the drawing board and present another design to voters next year.

Next, the nine members of the commission will rank their top 10 choices. In their next meeting on Aug. 14, the members will select five flags for final consideration.

The post State flag commission announces 147 finalists of nearly 3,000 submissions appeared first on Mississippi Today.