As Georgians go the poll for today's Democratic primary, they also get to vote on which Georgia flag they prefer: the Barnes flag, a blue-and-gold banner adopted in 2001 and retired two years later, and the current red-white-and-blue flag which was adopted in 2003.

Many Georgia voters and heritage groups believe today's flag referendum to be unfair and worthless as it doesn't include the 1956 state flag, dominated by the Confederate battle emblem, which flew over Georgia from 1956 to 2001, before being unceremoniously replaced by the blue "Barnes flag" by then Governor Roy Barnes in an effort to appease special interest groups. Many are concerned that if the current flag (similar to the 1956 flag but without the decisive rebel X) is defeated, Confederate heritage groups will push for a second referendum between the Barnes flag and the 1956 banner.

Today's Georgia flag vote is nonbinding, and will be used by lawmakers as an indicator of their citizen's preference.