SB 698

Subject to approval by voters of the State at the general election in November 2026, makes the following constitutional changes. Enacts Section 25 to Article II of the NC Constitution to charge the NCGA with establishing by law an independent process to revise the electoral districts for Congress and the NCGA after return of the decennial census, subject to the following limitations. Prohibits NCGA involvement in revising electoral districts. Requires each NCGA member and US House member to represent as equal numbers of inhabitants as possible. Mandates districts to consist of contiguous territory. Prohibits division of a county for NCGA districts to the extent practicable and consistent with federal law. Mandates that the districts remain unaltered until the return of another decennial census. Grants adopted electoral districts legislative force and effect. Makes conforming changes to Sections 3 and 5 of Article II to charge the NCGA with establishing an independent process to revise legislative districts and the apportionment of legislators among those districts. Amends subsection 5 of Section 22 of Article II to require that every bill in which the General Assembly makes an appointment or appointments to public office must be read three times in each house before it becomes law and must also be signed by the presiding officers of each house (currently, applies to bills that solely pertain to: appointments, revisions to senatorial and representative districts, and revisions to districts for elections to the US House of Representatives). Provides for certification and enrollment. Makes effective upon certification.