Bill > S698

This bill proposes a comprehensive constitutional amendment and statutory changes to create an independent redistricting process in North Carolina. The bill would establish a North Carolina Independent Redistricting Commission composed of 15 members selected through a rigorous, nonpartisan application process designed to ensure diversity and minimize political bias. The commission would be responsible for drawing legislative and congressional district maps after each federal decennial census, replacing the current system where the General Assembly creates these districts. Key provisions include strict eligibility requirements for commission members, detailed criteria for creating districts (such as maintaining communities of interest, ensuring contiguous districts, and preventing partisan gerrymandering), and extensive public input requirements with at least 20 public hearings statewide. The bill mandates that district maps must represent populations equally, comply with voting rights laws, and be drawn without favoring any political party or incumbent. If approved by voters in the November 2026 election, the changes would become fully effective in January 2030. The bill also includes provisions for funding the commission and ensuring transparency, such as live-streaming meetings, providing public access to mapping data, and requiring detailed written evaluations of final district plans.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S698