NC H285

Codifies redistricting principles established by the North Carolina Supreme Court in Stephenson v. Bartlett by adding Article 12B to Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.

Requires all state legislative districts to be single-member districts with populations within 5% of the ideal population (calculated by dividing total state population by number of districts).

Mandates that majority-minority districts required under the Voting Rights Act of 1965 be drawn first while complying with the state constitutional "Whole County Provision" to the maximum extent practicable.

Establishes a hierarchy for drawing remaining legislative districts: single counties with sufficient population form one district, multi-district counties form districts within their boundaries, and contiguous counties may be grouped with minimal county boundary crossing only as necessary to achieve sufficient population.

Applies the 5% population deviation standard to U.S. House districts and local electoral districts (county commissioners, city councils, school boards).