NC H500

North Carolina would ratify and affirm the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution, which states that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex.

The ERA was proposed by Congress in 1972 and reached the required 38 state ratifications on January 27, 2020, when Virginia ratified it, though federal recognition remains disputed.

The Governor must forward a certified copy of the ratification to the U.S. Archivist, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and all North Carolina congressional members.

A 2023 Meredith Poll showed 71.5% of North Carolina voters support the ERA, with opposition at 13.5%.

The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.