North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee 6 D cosponsors

SB 698 — Fair Districts Stronger Democracy Act.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 25, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 26% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 6 sponsors

    1 primary, 5 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (6 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

38 added · 39 removed

Plain-language change summary

The changes made to Senate Bill 698 primarily involve clarifying the representation required for appointments within the General Assembly. The revisions emphasize ensuring that appointments consider diverse interests, such as racial and geographic backgrounds. This matters because it aims to promote a fairer and more inclusive decision-making process, reflecting the variety of perspectives within the state's population. Additionally, the bill specifies how staff positions will be allocated fairly among the major political parties and those unaffiliated with any party, which can enhance bipartisan cooperation.

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FILED SENATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA Mar 25, 2025 S.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 S 1 SENATE BILL 698 Short Title:
698 SESSION 2025 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS15284-BKye-1 Short Title:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO AMEND THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION TO PROVIDE FOR AN INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING PROCESS, TO ESTABLISH THE NORTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION, AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES TO THE GENERAL STATUTES.
Rules and Operations of the Senate March 26, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO AMEND THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSTITUTION TO PROVIDE FOR AN INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING PROCESS, TO ESTABLISH THE NORTH CAROLINA INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION, AND TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES TO THE GENERAL STATUTES.
(1) Each Senator shall represent, as nearly as may be, an equal number of inhabitants, the number of inhabitants that each Senator represents being determined for this purpose by dividing the population of the district that he represents by the number of Senators apportioned to that district;
(1) Each Senator shall represent, as nearlyas maybe, an equal number of inhabitants, the number of inhabitants that each Senator represents being determined for this purpose by dividing the population of the district that he represents by the number of Senators apportioned to that district;
(1) Each Representative shall represent, as nearly as may be, an equal number of inhabitants, the number of inhabitants that each Representative represents being determined for *DRS15284-BKye-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 this purpose by dividing the population of the district that he represents by the number of Representatives apportioned to that district;
(1) Each Representative shall represent, as nearly as may be, an equal number of inhabitants, the number of inhabitants that each Representative represents being determined for *S698-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 this purpose by dividing the population of the district that he represents by the number of Representatives apportioned to that district;
The General Assembly shall establish by law an independent process to revise electoral districts forCongress and theGeneral Assembly afterthereturnofevery federal decennial census of population taken by order of Congress.
The General Assembly shall establish by law an independent process to revise electoral districts forCongress and theGeneral Assemblyafterthereturnofeveryfederal decennial census of population taken by order of Congress.
(a) In bill in which the General Assembly makes an appointment or appointments to public office and which contains no other matter;
(a) In bill in which the General Assemblymakes an appointment or appointments to public office and which contains no other matter;
The General Assembly would establish the process but have no role in the revising of districts." Page 2 DRS15284-BKye-1 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 1.(f) The State Board of Elections shall certify the results of the referendum conducted under subsection (e) of this section.
The General Assembly would establish the process but have no role in the revising of districts." Page 2 Senate Bill 698-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 1.(f) The State Board of Elections shall certify the results of the referendum conducted under subsection (e) of this section.
– An area or population with recognized similarities ofinterest, including racial,ethnic,economic,social,cultural, geographic,and historical identities.
– An area or population with recognized similarities ofinterest, includingracial,ethnic,economic,social,cultural, geographic,and historical identities.
– A plan adopted by the Commission to be used for the purpose of nominatingandelectingidentifiedrepresentatives.InaccordancewithSection 25 of Article II of the North Carolina Constitution, final plans shall have the force and effect of acts of the General Assembly.
– A plan adopted by the Commission to be used for the purpose of nominatingandelectingidentifiedrepresentatives.
InaccordancewithSection 25 of Article II of the North Carolina Constitution, final plans shall have the force and effect of acts of the General Assembly.
DRS15284-BKye-1 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (14) Proposed and alternative plans.
Senate Bill 698-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (14) Proposed and alternative plans.
– Plansreleasedby theCommission following public input.
–PlansreleasedbytheCommission following public input.
(3) Has not served as amemberoftheGeneral Assembly orCongress withineight years of applying for membership on the Commission.
(3) Has not served as amemberoftheGeneral AssemblyorCongress withineight years of applying for membership on the Commission.
Page 4 DRS15284-BKye-1 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (5) Has never been convicted of any of the following crimes against a governmental body of the United States or a crime with a direct connection to any of the following crimes:
Page 4 Senate Bill 698-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (5) Has never been convicted of any of the following crimes against a governmental body of the United States or a crime with a direct connection to any of the following crimes:
If needed, theStateEthics Commissionmayrequest additionalinformation from an applicant.
If needed, theStateEthics Commissionmayrequest additional information from an applicant.
DRS15284-BKye-1 Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (4) As part of the evaluation described in subdivision (3) of this subsection, the State Ethics Commission shall create an applicant review panel consisting of five staff members, composed of two persons affiliated with the largest political party in the State, two persons affiliated with the second-largest political party in the State, and one person affiliated with neither the largest nor second-largest political party in the State.
Senate Bill 698-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (4) As part of the evaluation described in subdivision (3) of this subsection, the State Ethics Commission shall create an applicant review panel consisting of five staff members, composed of two persons affiliated with the largest political party in the State, two persons affiliated with the second-largest political party in the State, and one person affiliated with neither the largest nor second-largest political party in the State.
(6) Of the pool of candidates submitted to the General Assembly pursuant to subdivision (5) of this subsection, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, theminority leaderin the Senate,theSpeakerof the HouseofRepresentatives, and the minority leader in the House of Representatives shall each strike six candidates.
(6) Of the pool of candidates submitted to the General Assembly pursuant to subdivision (5) of this subsection, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, theminorityleaderin the Senate,theSpeakerof the HouseofRepresentatives, and the minority leader in the House of Representatives shall each strike six candidates.
Make every effort to ensure that at least one member of the Commission is a resident of each congressional district in the State Page 6 DRS15284-BKye-1 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 from the prior election.
Make every effort to ensure that at least one member of the Commission is a resident of each congressional district in the State Page 6 Senate Bill 698-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 from the prior election.
– No member of the Commission shall serve as a member of the General Assembly or Congress until the conclusion of the term as a commissioner that they were appointed to serve.
– No member of the Commission shall serve as a member of the General Assemblyor Congress until the conclusion of the term as a commissioner that they were appointed to serve.
As a whole, the political affiliations of staff members, or lack thereof, shall be divided approximately into thirds among the two political parties with thehighest numberof affiliates andamong personsunaffiliatedwith apolitical party.
As a whole, the political affiliations of staff members, or lack thereof, shall be divided approximatelyinto thirds among the two political parties with thehighest numberof affiliates andamongpersonsunaffiliatedwith apolitical party.
DRS15284-BKye-1 Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 A person is ineligible to serve as a staff member to the Commission if that person would be ineligible to serve as a member of the Commission pursuant to G.S.
Senate Bill 698-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 A person is ineligible to serve as a staff member to the Commission if that person would be ineligible to serve as a member of the Commission pursuant to G.S.
(2) Compliance with the North Carolina Constitution, State law, the Constitution of the United States, including the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, and federal law to ensure that all persons, including racial and languageminorities, have anequal opportunity to elect representativesoftheir choice.
(2) Compliance with the North Carolina Constitution, State law, the Constitution of the United States, including the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, and federal law to ensure that all persons, including racial and language minorities, have an equal opportunityto elect representativesoftheir choice.
Areas that are logically connectedto form aunifiedcommunity,yet arephysically separated, are considered cohesive.
Areas that are logicallyconnectedto form aunifiedcommunity, yet arephysicallyseparated, are considered cohesive.
Page 8 DRS15284-BKye-1 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (7) Districts shall not be drawn to favor or discriminate against an incumbent or candidate for office.
Page 8 Senate Bill 698-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (7) Districts shall not be drawn to favor or discriminate against an incumbent or candidate for office.
(1) Plans proposed by the special masters shall conform to all redistricting criteria in G.S.
(1) Plans proposed bythe special masters shall conform to all redistricting criteria in G.S.
At least one public hearing shall occur in each metropolitan statistical area andat least fivepublichearingsshall occurin thevarious micropolitanareas.
At least one public hearing shall occur in each metropolitan statistical area andat least fivepublichearings shall occurin thevariousmicropolitan areas.
DRS15284-BKye-1 Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (1) Sufficient time to review any plan released to the public in advance of any vote on that plan.
Senate Bill 698-First Edition Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (1) Sufficient time to review any plan released to the public in advance of any vote on that plan.
(4) Access to mapping software and census data in public library facilities in each metropolitan and micropolitan statistical area within 20 days of receipt of that data from the United States Bureau of the Census.
(4) Access to mappingsoftware and census data in public library facilities in each metropolitan and micropolitan statistical area within 20 days of receipt of that data from the United States Bureau of the Census.
CONFORMING CHANGES Page 10 DRS15284-BKye-1 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 2.(a) G.S.
CONFORMING CHANGES Page 10 Senate Bill 698-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 2.(a) G.S.
(a1) In the event the General Assembly North Carolina Independent Redistricting Commission does not act to remedy any identified defects to its plan within that period of time, the court may impose an interim districting plan for use in the next general election only, but that interim districting plan may differ from the previous districting plan enacted by the General Assembly only to the extent necessary to remedy any defects identified by the court.
(a1) In the event the General Assembly North Carolina Independent Redistricting Commission does not act to remedy any identified defects to its plan within that period of time, the court mayimpose an interim districting plan for use in the next general election only, but that interim districting plan may differ from the previous districting plan enacted by the General Assembly only to the extent necessary to remedy any defects identified by the court.
It is the intent of the General Assembly to provide ample funding to implement an independent redistricting system.
It is the intent of the General Assembly to provide ample funding to implement an independent redistrictingsystem.
DRS15284-BKye-1 Page 11 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 PART IV.
Senate Bill 698-First Edition Page 11 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 PART IV.
EFFECTIVE DATE SECTION 4.(a) If the constitutional amendments proposed by subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of Section 1 of this act are approved by the qualified voters as provided in subsections (e), (f), and (g) of Section 1 of this act, the following shall become effective January 1, 2030:
EFFECTIVE DATE SECTION 4.(a) If the constitutional amendments proposed by subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of Section 1 of this act are approved bythe qualified voters as provided in subsections (e), (f), and (g) of Section 1 of this act, the following shall become effective January 1, 2030:
Page 12 DRS15284-BKye-1
Page 12 Senate Bill 698-First Edition
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Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 5 co-sponsors · 173 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (5)

Not signed on (173)

173 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 173 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights elections
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 698?
SB 698 is sponsored by Joyce Waddell (Democratic), Julie Mayfield (Democratic), Michael Garrett (Democratic), Mujtaba A. Mohammed (Democratic), Val Applewhite (Democratic), and Kandie D. Smith (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 698?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 25, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 698?
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