Statewide poll shows divide over Mississippi state flag

A statewide poll by Chism Strategies shows 46 percent of those polled think Mississippi should keep its current flag, with a Confederate emblem in the upper left corner. Forty-five percent say it should be replaced. Nine percent of respondents were unsure.

But there were some fault lines in the breakdown of the numbers with an overwhelming majority of African Americans wanting the flag to be replaced.

The poll also found that support for the flag splits along party lines and generations.

“A huge divide along age with older voters preferring to keep the flag by over a 2 to 1 margin," said Brannon Miller, voter targeting director of Chism Strategies. "Whereas, younger voters, 52 percent, want to change it. I think the number that want to keep it is only in the high 30s.”

This poll is a snapshot of public opinion. But it does show a smaller margin than previous polls or the 2001 flag referendum.

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