Once the 2011 legislative session ends, redistricting will become a major focus of attention. Thanks to today's amazing tools of technology and the ready availablility of Census data, most anyone can draw new boundaries for legislative and congressional districts.

In fact, one software developer has built his own online mapping tool, called "Dave's Redistricting App." It allows anyone in any state except Alaska to draw district boundaries. Read this excellent Stateline story from the Pew Center on the States that discusses citizen redistricting and the technological tools that make it possible.

Some states will make tools available for citizen groups to draw boundaries. It remains to be seen whether Utah will do so. But, no doubt, groups will create their own districts and compare them to what the Legislature produces. Clearly, redistricting has been democratized. Legislators, congressmen, and citizens alike will be able to participate in and monitor redistricting like never before. It's no longer a back-room process that few people understand or have access to.

It makes sense for the Utah Legislature to make the redistricting process the most open and participatory process ever conducted. The still-to-be-appointed Redistricting Committee should invite recommendations from anyone and everyone. They should explain far and wide the process and the requirements and guidelines they must follow. They will avoid a lot of criticism if they make the process transparent and open. They should create a redistricting web site and mount a strong communications effort to reduce suspicion and misunderstanding. They can co-opt independent efforts if they welcome the input.