The North Carolina House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly. The House is a 120-member body led by a Speaker of the House, who holds powers similar to those of the President pro-tem in the state senate.
In the 2017â€"2018 session, the Republican Party holds a 75â€"45 majority over the Democratic Party, compared to a 74-45 Republican majority in the 2015-2016 session (there was one Independent member). The 2016 elections gave Republicans 74 seats, but Rep. William Brisson, elected as a Democrat, switched parties in October 2017. This is down from a 77-43 Republican majority in the 2013-2014 session.
The qualifications to be a member of the House are found in the state Constitution: "Each Representative, at the time of his election, shall be a qualified voter of the State, and shall have resided in the district for which he is chosen for one year immediately preceding his election." Elsewhere, the constitution specifies that qualified voters that are 21 are eligible for candidacy except if otherwise disqualified by the constitution, and that no elected officials may deny the existence of God, although the latter provision is not enforced.
Prior to the Constitution of 1868, the lower house of the North Carolina Legislature was known as the North Carolina House of Commons.
2017â€"2018 composition
Officers (2017-18 Session)
Members (2017-2018 Session)
Source: NC General Assembly official site
See also
- North Carolina Senate
References
External links
- Official House site
- Project Vote Smart â€" State House of North Carolina
