NC · Officeholder
DState Representative · District 21
On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: North Carolina House District 21
Ya Liu is a Democratic state representative from North Carolina House District 21 in Wake County who has served since January 1, 2023, and is running for re-election on November 3, 2026.[1][2] She served on the Cary Town Council from 2019 to 2023 and is the House Democratic Whip.[1][2]
Liu lives in Cary, North Carolina, and earned two doctoral degrees, in sociology and law, according to Ballotpedia.[1] Her career experience includes work as a faculty member at Duke Law School and as the owner of a small business, and the General Assembly lists her occupation as small business owner and attorney.[1][2]
Liu was elected to the Cary Town Council for District D, serving from 2019 to 2023, before succeeding Democrat Raymond Smith Jr. in the House.[1] She serves on the House Appropriations, Health, Housing and Development, and Judiciary 2 committees, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, the House Select Committee on Involuntary Commitment and Public Safety, and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services.[3]
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Ya Liu is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina House District 21 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned
Most contested
Regulatory Reform Act of 2025.
On the version voted Sep 23, 2025: Changes dozens of state regulations, including barring local street paving standards stricter than the state's, limiting local rules on displaying American flags on private property, easing wastewater and stormwater permitting, and expanding where restaurants and food businesses may use liquor for cooking.
Jun 24, 2025 · Failed 49–61 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
May 21, 2025 · Failed 49–57 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Prot. Act.
On the version voted Jun 30, 2026: Requires cryptocurrency kiosk operators to be licensed and supervised by the state banking commissioner, caps daily transactions at $2,000 for new and $5,000 for existing customers, limits fees to 12%, and requires fraud warnings and refunds for some scam victims.
Jun 9, 2026 · Failed 50–64 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Bars state agencies from DEI programs in hiring, staffing or training, and bars state and local governments from using public money for DEI. Sets State Auditor compliance audits, removal of violating employees, civil penalties and lawsuits.
Jun 26, 2025 · Passed 60–48 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
North Carolina Border Protection Act.
On the version voted Jun 24, 2026: Requires state public safety, prison, Highway Patrol and SBI leaders to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, ends state benefits and housing aid for noncitizens lacking legal status where federal law allows, and waives tort immunity for cities and counties with sanctuary ordinances when an unauthorized immigrant commits a crime there.
Jun 4, 2025 · Passed 60–46 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Lets U.S. citizens 18 or older who are not otherwise prohibited carry a concealed handgun without a permit, raises line-of-duty death payments to $150,000, and increases penalties for firearm assaults on law enforcement and other first responders.
Jun 11, 2025 · Passed 59–48 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Promoting Wholesome Content for Students.
Requires public schools to adopt library policies under which community advisory committees review books for quality and age-appropriateness, requires removal of material that fails the criteria, including depictions of sexual activity, and lets parents or county residents sue over violations.
Apr 16, 2025 · Failed 49–57 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Eliminating "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)" in Public Higher Educ
Bars UNC campuses and community colleges from endorsing or compelling belief in listed "divisive concepts," from discriminatory practices, and from keeping diversity, equity and inclusion offices; requires their governing boards to adopt policies implementing these rules.
Jun 25, 2025 · Passed 64–47 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Eliminating "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)" in Public Education.
Bars public school units from teaching or requiring affirmation of listed "divisive concepts" (such as one race or sex being inherently superior), from discriminatory practices, and from keeping diversity, equity and inclusion offices; requires annual compliance certification.
Jun 25, 2025 · Passed 67–48 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Align Medicaid Eligibility with Federal Law.
Orders the Division of Health Benefits to disenroll Planned Parenthood and associated entities as Medicaid providers, end their Medicaid contracts, and engage other providers for services they provided.
Oct 22, 2025 · Passed 61–47 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Requires the State Health Director to issue a standing order by October 1, 2025, letting pharmacists dispense human-use ivermectin without a prescription, with civil and criminal liability immunity for the director and pharmacists.
May 7, 2025 · Passed 66–47 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Parents' Medical Bill of Rights.
Gives parents access to a minor child's medical records, with exceptions. Limits minors' own consent to pregnancy care and, from age 16, treatment of reportable diseases with a prescription of 10 days or less. Extends emergency no-consent treatment rules to physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
May 6, 2025 · Passed 68–41 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Sedimentation Act and Other Environmental Changes.
Requires General Assembly approval before state environmental agencies sign agreements with the U.S. EPA, and directs the Department of Environmental Quality to seek revisions to its sedimentation-control agreements to streamline requirements and to ask EPA to consult it on proposed federal rules.
May 6, 2025 · Passed 63–43 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Sets rules for new data centers of 100 megawatts or more, including site assessments, closed-loop or liquid cooling with no evaporative cooling, electric contracts that shield other customers from costs, and a ban on local incentives; also delays a swine-waste energy requirement to 2029.
Jun 3, 2026 · Failed 49–63 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Sets timelines and procedures for state review of Clean Water Act 401 water quality certifications, creates permitting rules for upland basin marinas, and excludes certain man-made ditches from the Coastal Area Management Act.
Jun 24, 2025 · Passed 66–45 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Grant Anticipation Notes.
Lets local governments borrow money to speed up regional and division transportation projects scheduled for state funding, repaying it from expected state or federal money, after signing an agreement with the Department of Transportation.
May 7, 2025 · Passed 100–11 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Pharmacy Benefits Manager Provisions.
Requires pharmacy benefit managers to pay pharmacies at least federal benchmark drug costs, bars them from charging pharmacies various fees or stopping pharmacists from mentioning cheaper drugs, limits pharmacy audits, and requires quarterly reports on drug costs and manufacturer price concessions.
Apr 29, 2025 · Passed 106–9 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Expand Remote Drivers License Services.
Jul 30, 2025 · Passed 109–7 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Unauthorized Public Camping & Sleeping.
Bars cities and counties from allowing regular public camping or sleeping on public property, except on sites a governing board designates by majority vote for up to one year and the state health department certifies, with safety, sanitation and behavioral-health standards.
May 7, 2025 · Passed 69–42 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Liability/Unfair/Deceptive Development Actions.
Lets courts award attorneys' fees to people who win civil actions against local governments over development approvals, requires fees for intentional violations or delay, and requires punitive damages up to 10 times damages for flagrantly unfair or deceptive conduct meant to prompt a suit.
May 1, 2025 · Passed 67–39 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Establish Drug-Free Homeless Service Zones.
Makes selling or delivering controlled substances in a signed drug-free homeless service zone (a funded service facility and the area within 100 feet) a Class E felony, and makes operators who intentionally allow it a Class H felony.
Apr 15, 2025 · Passed 76–36 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Sets rules for new data centers of 100 megawatts or more, including site assessments, closed-loop or liquid cooling with no evaporative cooling, electric contracts that shield other customers from costs, and a ban on local incentives; also delays a swine-waste energy requirement to 2029.
Jun 3, 2026 · Failed 49–63 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Requires wireless carriers to give police a phone's location when it was used to call 911 or is believed to be with someone at risk of death or serious harm, shields carriers from lawsuits for doing so, and requires them to file emergency contacts with the SBI.
Apr 15, 2025 · Passed 103–8 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Social Media Protections for Minors Under 16.
May 6, 2025 · Passed 106–6 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 26 of 239 party-divided votes on file.
Most often on: Rights & public safety (9), Jobs & cost of living (7), Housing & rent (4)
2026 Budget Technical Corrections - II.
What it does: Makes technical, clarifying and other changes to the 2026 state budget law, including adjustments to Hurricane Helene recovery grants and programs, budget procedure rules, and several local and board appointment provi…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 17–28, Republicans 61–0
Aug 5, 2026Official record ↗
Adjournment Resolution.
What it does: On the version voted Jul 28, 2026: Adjourns the 2025 General Assembly session in stages, reconvening August 31, September 28, October 26, November 16 and November 30, 2026, each limited to veto overrides, appointments…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 17–28, Republicans 60–0
Aug 5, 2026Official record ↗
2026 Budget Technical Corrections - II.
What it does: On the version voted Aug 5, 2026: Makes technical, clarifying and other changes to the 2026 state budget law, including adjustments to Hurricane Helene recovery grants and programs, budget procedure rules, and several…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 15–31, Republicans 63–0
Aug 4, 2026Official record ↗
Regulatory Reform Act of 2026.
What it does: On the version voted Jul 29, 2026: Makes dozens of regulatory changes, including de novo review of rule interpretation by administrative law judges and courts, higher penalties for water theft and littering, limits on…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 20–26, Republicans 63–0
Aug 4, 2026Official record ↗
State Board of Elections Administrative Changes.
What it does: On the version voted Jul 28, 2026: Amends the absentee-ballot statute in the elections bill so ballots transmitted to county boards under that statute or under federal law are counted, and requires State Board rules i…
Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 11–35, Republicans 62–0
Aug 4, 2026Official record ↗
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
With most of their party · Passed 60–48 · Yes 60–No 48 · Democrats 0–46, Republicans 60–0
Jun 26, 2025Official record ↗
Town of Maggie Valley/Deannexations.
With most of their party · Passed 56–50 · Yes 56–No 50 · Democrats 0–44, Republicans 56–4
Jun 11, 2025Official record ↗
Regulatory Reform Act of 2025.
With most of their party · Failed 49–61 · Yes 49–No 61 · Democrats 47–0, Republicans 1–61
Jun 24, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 49–57 · Yes 49–No 57 · Democrats 44–0, Republicans 3–57
May 21, 2025Official record ↗
Promoting Wholesome Content for Students.
With most of their party · Failed 49–57 · Yes 49–No 57 · Democrats 44–0, Republicans 3–57
Apr 16, 2025Official record ↗
Align Medicaid Eligibility with Federal Law.
With most of their party · Passed 61–47 · Yes 61–No 47 · Democrats 0–46, Republicans 61–0
Oct 22, 2025Official record ↗
North Carolina Border Protection Act.
With most of their party · Passed 60–46 · Yes 60–No 46 · Democrats 0–44, Republicans 60–0
Jun 4, 2025Official record ↗
With most of their party · Passed 59–48 · Yes 59–No 48 · Democrats 0–44, Republicans 59–2
Jun 11, 2025Official record ↗
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
Motion: R3 Ruled Mat'l M11 Concur
Removes the satellite annexation cap for Bear Grass, writes the Currituck County Game Commission's waterfowl blind rules into law with online applications and flexible fees, and requires ward-based primaries in Hickory when more than two candidates file for a ward.
Motion: R3 Ruled Mat'l C RPT Adoption
Makes technical, clarifying and other changes to the 2026 state budget law, including adjustments to Hurricane Helene recovery grants and programs, budget procedure rules, and several local and board appointment provisions.
Motion: C RPT Adoption
On the version voted Jul 29, 2026: Changes court laws, including when juvenile records may be disclosed, giving any attorney of record access to the trial file in indigent appeals, assigning superior court judges to districts with a county over 1 million people, and Judicial Standards Commission definitions.
Motion: Second Reading
On the version voted Jul 28, 2026: Adjourns the 2025 General Assembly session in stages, reconvening August 31, September 28, October 26, November 16 and November 30, 2026, each limited to veto overrides, appointments, election laws and certain other matters, then adjourns sine die December 18, 2026.
Motion: R2 Ruled Mat'l M11 Concur
On the version voted Aug 5, 2026: Removes the satellite annexation cap for Bear Grass, writes the Currituck County Game Commission's waterfowl blind rules into law with online applications and flexible fees, and requires ward-based primaries in Hickory when more than two candidates file for a ward.
Motion: R3 Ruled Mat'l C RPT Adoption
Adds parts of Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station New River and Stones Bay to Jacksonville's city limits, limits city police powers and annexation north of N.C. Highway 24, and ends the city's zoning authority outside its limits.
Motion: R2 Ruled Mat'l C RPT Adoption
On the version voted Aug 5, 2026: Makes technical, clarifying and other changes to the 2026 state budget law, including adjustments to Hurricane Helene recovery grants and programs, budget procedure rules, and several local and board appointment provisions.
Motion: C RPT Adoption
On the version voted Jul 29, 2026: Adjusts the 2026 budget act: redirects several directed grants, moves authorization of the America's Semiquincentennial license plate into GS 20-63, delays an insurance regulatory charge change to 2027, and appropriates $225,000 for State Fire Marshal and $300,000 for Labor Department positions.
Motion: C RPT Adoption
On the version voted Jul 29, 2026: Makes dozens of regulatory changes, including de novo review of rule interpretation by administrative law judges and courts, higher penalties for water theft and littering, limits on local glazing requirements, and new rules on accessory dwelling units and mining permits.
Motion: Third Reading
Creates a process for cities and towns to remove land from their limits, either on their own initiative after a report and public hearing or on a petition signed by all owners, with consent required from any local government taking over services.
Showing 10 of 502 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.