NC S554

Creates a Joint Legislative Study Committee on Fair Redistricting with 14 members (8 voting, 6 nonvoting) appointed by legislative leaders and the Governor to provide principles and guidance for the 2020 redistricting process.

Committee shall study strategies for public input in redistricting, fair map-drawing methods that exclude partisan data, court tools for assessing district compliance with voting rights laws, and models for reducing gerrymandering including treatment of incarcerated persons' residency.

Committee must submit final report with findings and recommendations by June 15, 2018, and shall terminate upon filing the report or that date, whichever is earlier.

Modifies absentee ballot acceptance procedures to allow ballots received by mail one day after the election without a postmark to be deemed postmarked on or before election day if the county board of elections verifies receipt by stamping the ballot with the date received.