GAYLA KRAETSCH HARTSOUGH

Gayla Kraetsch Hartsough (Educ ’78, Grad ’78 CM) just completed her year as Executive Director for the first-ever independent redistricting commission for the most populous county in the United States, which comprises 10 million people. The role of the Los Angeles County Citizens Redistricting Commission (LA County CRC) was to establish the boundary lines for the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors following the federal decennial census. As an independent commission, the LA County CRC’s approved map is the final map and cannot be redrawn by the Board of Supervisors.

Hartsough and her team confronted many challenges in setting up a new independent commission, compounded by census data delays, the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in hybrid and virtual meetings, and increased public awareness of the importance of the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965. For example, between November 1, 2021, and December 12, 2021, more than 3,200 individuals attended or watched on YouTube the 14 meetings and public hearings held. 4,200 members of the public made oral presentations or submitted written comments during that same period. The LA County CRC’s approach can serve as a model for other local and state jurisdictions in the coming years.

Hartsough will now refocus her energies on her firm, KH Consulting Group, which she established 35 years ago.

For more information on the LA County CRC, go to:

Website: https://redistricting.lacounty.gov/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/LACountyRedistricting/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedistrictingLACounty