RALEIGH – State lawmakers today introduced the Fair Maps Act (하원 법안 9호), 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. 필립스 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.
• 만약 NC 총회에서 채택된다면, 제안된 헌법 개정안은 2024년에 노스캐롤라이나 주 전역의 유권자들에게 제출될 것입니다. 그리고 유권자들의 승인을 받는다면, 시민 재구획 위원회는 그 이후의 모든 입법 또는 의회 재구획에 대한 책임을 지게 될 것입니다.
• 시민 선거구 조정 위원회는 선거구에 대한 최종 승인을 받게 되며, NC 총회는 선거구 조정에 아무런 역할도 하지 않습니다.
• 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.
• 위원회는 최소 20회의 공청회를 개최해야 합니다. 이 중 10회는 계획이 수립되기 전에, 10회는 초기 계획이 수립된 후 최종 확정되기 전에 개최해야 합니다.
• 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).
• 만약 위원회가 계획을 채택하지 못할 경우, 특별 관리자를 고용하여 구역을 정하게 됩니다.

Common Cause North Carolina는 미국 민주주의의 핵심 가치를 옹호하는 비당파적 풀뿌리 조직입니다. 우리는 공익을 위해 봉사하는 개방적이고 정직하며 책임감 있는 정부를 만들고, 모든 사람에게 동등한 권리, 기회, 대표권을 장려하고, 모든 사람이 정치 과정에서 자신의 목소리를 낼 수 있도록 힘을 실어주기 위해 노력합니다.