RALEIGH – State lawmakers today introduced the Fair Maps Act (NC House Bill 20), a common-sense proposal to end gerrymandering in North Carolina.

The Fair Maps Act would amend North Carolina’s Constitution to permanently take redistricting power out of the hands of partisan legislators and entrust it with an independent commission composed of everyday North Carolinians to draw the state’s voting districts free from discrimination or political influence.

If passed by the NC General Assembly, the proposed constitutional amendment would be placed before voters statewide in 2026. If ultimately approved by voters, the citizens commission would be established to oversee North Carolina’s redistricting process thereafter. The citizens redistricting commission would have an equal number of Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated voters.

Primary sponsors of the Fair Maps Act include Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford), Rep. Marcia Morey (D-Durham), Rep. Zack Hawkins (D-Durham), and Rep. Lindsey Prather (D-Buncombe).

Bob Phillips, Executive Director of Common Cause North Carolina, applauded the bill’s sponsors for introducing the Fair Maps Act to provide lasting, nonpartisan reform that would end gerrymandering.

“Our voting districts don’t belong to politicians, our districts belong to the people. North Carolina deserves a fair redistricting process that respects the freedom of voters to choose their representatives, free from gerrymandering,” Phillips said. “We urge members of both parties to put people over politics and pass the Fair Maps Act.”

Notably, the 2025 Fair Maps Act is similar to legislation that former NC House Speaker Tim Moore, current NC Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, and newly named NC House Election Law Committee Chair Sarah Stevens each supported when their Republican Party was in the minority during the 2009-2010 General Assembly session.

Polls have consistently found broad, bipartisan opposition to gerrymandering and strong support for nonpartisan redistricting reform among North Carolina voters.

About the 2025 Fair Maps Act (NC House Bill 20):

• The Fair Maps Act would amend North Carolina’s Constitution to create a citizens redistricting commission.
• If adopted by the NC General Assembly, the proposed constitutional amendment would be put before North Carolina voters statewide in 2026. And if approved by voters, the citizens redistricting commission would be responsible for any legislative or congressional redistricting thereafter.
• The citizens redistricting commission would have final approval of districts; there would be no role for the NC General Assembly in redistricting.
• The citizens redistricting commission would draw districts that are equal in population, contiguous, and compact, as well as fully complying with the U.S. Constitution and federal law. The commission would strive to avoid splitting counties, municipalities, or communities of interest.
• The commission would have 15 members – five Republicans, five Democrats, and five members who are neither Republicans or Democrats. The bill prohibits lobbyists, major political donors, or relatives of legislators from serving on the commission.
• The commission would be required to hold at least 25 public meetings – at least 10 before the plan is drawn and at least 10 after an initial plan is created but before it is finalized.
• The commission would make resources available to members of the public to permit them to draw their own maps, understand the process, and submit comments.
• Adoption of a plan would require a vote of at least nine members of the commission, including at least three members from each subgroup (Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated).
• If the commission were unable to adopt a plan, it would hire a special master to draw the districts.

Common Cause North Carolina is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.

Media contact: Bryan Warner, Common Cause NC, at 919-836-0027 or bwarner@commoncause.org