Good-government groups have long said the secretive process by which political powers redraw their own election district lines - and protect their jobs - could be more fairly done by anyone, even a kid.
 
Now, legislative leaders in New York, Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Arizona and in Philadelphia will see whether it's true.
 
In New York, a Fordham University project is holding a competition among students as young as 10 to take on the redistricting process that has long been used to protect the majorities of the Senate and Assembly.

The effort includes a website for the public to submit ideas to state lawmakers.
 
The website at www.redistrictny.org also allows members of the public to draw districts and see the process that redraws congressional and legislative district lines.

According to the website, "This software promises to usher in a new era of greater public input into the redistricting process."

- from the Associated Press