Legislative Structure
The proposed multiseat constituency system for North Carolina includes a bicameral legislature with a Senate and a House of Representatives. The distribution of seats and the allocation of representatives aim to ensure proportionality while maintaining geographic balance.
Senate: 50 Seats
The Senate will be divided into 5 districts, each electing 10 senators.
House of Representatives: 120 Seats
The House of Representatives will also be divided into 5 districts, each electing 24 representatives.
Districting Principles
The district boundaries will be drawn based on the following principles:
- Population Equality: The population of each district will be as equal as possible, with a maximum deviation of 3% between the largest and smallest district.
- Minimizing Border Length: The districts will be drawn in a way that minimizes the total length of borders between them. This minimizes fragmentation and encourages more geographically cohesive representation.
- Geographic and Demographic Representation: The districts will be designed to fairly represent North Carolina’s diverse geographic areas and communities.
Districting Process
The districting process will be guided by a combination of population data from the most recent census, geographic factors, and the goal of minimizing border length. Specialized software and geographic information systems (GIS) will be used to determine the most effective boundary lines that meet these goals. Public input will also be solicited to ensure that communities are fairly represented. The population of a district may not be greater than 21.5% of the state's total popluation, nor less than 18.5% of the state's total population. If census data indicates that this is no longer true, the districts shall be redrawn prior to the next election.