Bill > S347

This bill establishes a proxy voting mechanism for members of the North Carolina General Assembly who have experienced a specific "triggering event" such as childbirth, adoption, stillbirth, or miscarriage. Under this legislation, a qualified member can appoint a designated proxy from their own political party to cast votes on their behalf while they are unable to physically be present in the legislative chamber. To use this proxy voting option, the member must file a written voting designation, maintain access to a real-time audio or video stream of the legislative session, and ensure their designated proxy is physically present in the chamber. The proxy voting is only permitted after more than half of the chamber's members have already voted, and the designated proxy must vote exactly as the qualified member would have voted. The voting designation remains valid for up to 16 weeks following the triggering event or until the member revokes it in writing. The bill also requires the General Assembly to establish secure processes for validating proxy votes, including potentially allowing electronic devices in the chambers to support this validation. This legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and aims to support legislators during significant personal life events by allowing them to remain politically engaged while managing family responsibilities.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S347