HB 443

Subject to approval by voters at the statewide general election held on November 3, 2026, amends Section 7(3) of Article III of the North Carolina Constitution concerning the filling of vacancies in the office of Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Labor, and Commissioner of Insurance to require that if the officer was elected as the nominee of a political party, the Governor must appoint from a list of three qualified persons recommended by the political party with which the vacating officer was affiliated at the time of election, if that political party makes a recommendation within 30 days of the vacancy. Requires the State Board of Elections to certify the results of the referendum and if a majority of votes are in favor of the amendment, the Secretary of State must enroll the amendment among the permanent records of that office.