NC S702

Amends North Carolina Constitution to establish an Independent Redistricting Commission to create redistricting plans for state Senate, House, and U.S. House districts beginning with the 2020 census.

Commission consists of nine members appointed by: Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (2), Governor (3), Speaker of House (1), House minority leader (1), Senate President Pro Tempore (1), and Senate minority leader (1), with balanced party affiliation requirements.

Commission shall present three redistricting plans to the General Assembly for each chamber; General Assembly has 120 days to adopt one plan, or Commission adopts one of its submitted plans by majority vote.

Redistricting plans must prioritize compactness, equal representation, and minimizing split counties and municipalities while ensuring contiguity; Commission cannot consider incumbents' residences or demographic data beyond Census Bureau information.

Constitutional amendment requires voter approval at November 2018 general election; implementing legislation becomes effective January 1, 2019, contingent on referendum passage.