Ga. votes on flag

In Georgia, voters chose a flag designed by Gov. Sonny Perdue, a Republican, over one designed by his Democratic predecessor, Roy Barnes.

The flag issue has been roiling for years in Georgia, where many residents objected to their flag as a symbol of segregation. It was designed in 1956 and included prominently the Confederate battle flag.

In 2001, Barnes pushed through the Legislature a new flag that displays the state seal on a blue background with five former state flags featured along the bottom. One was the 1956 version.

Perdue campaigned on a promise to let voters decide on whether to bring back the 1956 version. But his version has the state seal in the corner on a blue field, and three broad stripes of red and white. It does not include the battle emblem but does closely resemble another flag from the Confederacy, the original "Stars and Bars."

Some Southern heritage groups asked their members to sit out the referendum to keep the matter on the agenda. But civil rights groups urged supporters to vote for Perdue's flag to put the issue to rest. And that is what they did, by a 3-1 ratio, state officials said.

"Let's get this thing over with, put it to bed," said Jerry Deen, a car dealership owner in Albany.