NC S698

Amends the North Carolina Constitution to remove the General Assembly's direct role in drawing electoral districts for Congress and the state legislature, replacing it with an independent redistricting process to be submitted to voters on November 3, 2026

Creates a 15-member North Carolina Independent Redistricting Commission with members divided equally among the largest party, second-largest party, and unaffiliated voters, serving 10-year terms beginning July 1 of each year ending in zero

Establishes strict eligibility requirements prohibiting recent candidates, political appointees, lobbyists, major donors (over 20% of contribution limits or $10,000 total), and relatives of current legislators from serving on the Commission

Requires plans to meet prioritized criteria including equal population, Voting Rights Act compliance, contiguous districts, respect for communities of interest, and prohibitions on partisan gerrymandering or favoring incumbents

Mandates extensive public engagement including at least 20 public hearings statewide, live-streamed meetings, 14 days' notice before votes, and access to mapping software in public libraries, with final plans requiring approval by at least 9 commissioners representing all three affiliation groups