RALEIGH – State lawmakers today introduced the Fair Maps Act (Gesetzentwurf 9 des Repräsentantenhauses), a proposal to implement lasting redistricting reform and end gerrymandering in North Carolina.

The Fair Maps Act would amend North Carolina’s Constitution to permanently take redistricting power out of the hands of partisan legislators and entrust it with an independent commission comprised of everyday North Carolinians to draw the state’s voting districts free from political influence.

If passed by the NC General Assembly, the proposed constitutional amendment would be placed before voters statewide in 2024. If ultimately approved by voters, the citizens commission would be established to oversee North Carolina’s redistricting process thereafter. The citizens redistricting commission would have an equal number of Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated voters.

Primary sponsors of the Fair Maps Act include Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford), Rep. Robert Reives (D-Chatham, Randolph), Rep. Marcia Morey (D-Durham), and Rep. Diamond Staton-Williams (D-Cabarrus).

“Our bill proposes a citizen-driven process that will restore faith in our state legislature and the actions it takes because it will be truly representative,” Rep. Harrison said.

“The legislature should serve all North Carolinians, regardless of party,” Rep. Reives said. “One of the best ways we can do that is by passing the Fair Maps Act to ensure we have a government that works for everyone.”

“Gerrymandering violates the freedom of North Carolina voters to have a voice in choosing their representatives,” Rep. Morey said. “It’s time to end gerrymandering for good and respect the rights of voters by passing the Fair Maps Act.”

“North Carolina’s voting districts don’t belong to politicians, they belong to the people,” Rep. Staton-Williams said. “The Fair Maps Act would establish a common-sense redistricting process that puts people over politics.”

Bob Phillips, executive director of Common Cause North Carolina, applauded the bill’s sponsors for introducing the Fair Maps Act to provide lasting, nonpartisan reform that would end gerrymandering.

“The courts have made it clear that gerrymandering is unconstitutional in North Carolina and the public overwhelmingly wants nonpartisan redistricting,” Mr. Phillips said. “We urge members of both parties to put the rights of North Carolinians above partisan politics by passing the Fair Maps Act.”

About the Fair Maps Act:

• The Fair Maps Act would amend North Carolina’s Constitution to create a citizens redistricting commission.
• Wenn die Generalversammlung von North Carolina den Verfassungszusatz annimmt, wird er den Wählern des gesamten Bundesstaats North Carolina im Jahr 2024 vorgelegt. Und wenn die Wähler zustimmen, wird die Bürgerkommission für die Neuaufteilung der Wahlbezirke danach für jede Neuaufteilung der Wahlbezirke im Parlament oder Kongress verantwortlich sein.
• Die endgültige Genehmigung der Wahlkreise läge bei der Bürgerkommission für die Neugliederung der Wahlkreise. Die Generalversammlung von North Carolina spiele bei der Neugliederung der Wahlkreise keine Rolle.
• The citizens redistricting commission would draw districts that are equal in population, contiguous, and compact, as well as fully complying with the U.S. Constitution and federal law. The commission would strive to avoid splitting counties, municipalities, or communities of interest.
• The commission would have 15 members – five Republicans, five Democrats, and five members who are neither Republicans or Democrats. The bill prohibits lobbyists, major political donors, or relatives of legislators from serving on the commission.
• Die Kommission müsste mindestens 20 öffentliche Sitzungen abhalten – 10 vor der Ausarbeitung des Plans und 10 nach der Erstellung eines ersten Plans, aber vor seiner Fertigstellung.
• The commission would make resources available to members of the public to permit them to draw their own maps, understand the process, and submit comments.
• Adoption of a plan would require a vote of at least nine members of the commission, including at least three members from each subgroup (Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated).
• Wenn die Kommission keinen Plan annehmen kann, wird sie einen Sonderbeauftragten mit der Einteilung der Bezirke beauftragen.

Common Cause North Carolina ist eine überparteiliche Basisorganisation, die sich für die Wahrung der Grundwerte der amerikanischen Demokratie einsetzt. Wir arbeiten daran, eine offene, ehrliche und rechenschaftspflichtige Regierung zu schaffen, die dem öffentlichen Interesse dient, gleiche Rechte, Chancen und Vertretung für alle fördert und allen Menschen die Möglichkeit gibt, ihre Stimme im politischen Prozess zu Gehör zu bringen.