{image1} City election chief Lisa Artison has had some problems with numbers, not the least of which turns out to be the date on her resignation letter, listed as February 2004 rather than 2005. Nonetheless, her resignation signals the ending of a troubled time. But does her resignation mean improvements in Milwaukee election administration?

Hopefully the mayor's strategy now that Artison has resigned, recognizes that her resignation is only the beginning, rather than the end, of a much needed turn-around to ensure the public's confidence in the electoral process, and that the wholesale problems with recent elections in Milwaukee were not the doing of a single person, but of a fundamentally flawed system ripe for abuse and in need of immediate reform.

Milwaukee's election head held on to the job despite an onslaught of criticism surrounding the operations of the November elections. Her desire to continue in the job, attempting to ride out the storm longer than Tom Ament did during his controversy, was mind-boggling. Mayor Tom Barrett, known to be wildly loyal, stood by Artison, including refusing to criticize her -- even upon her exit.

Artison's stint as the top election officer in the city was, putting it mildly, unfortunate. To be fair, however, Artison should not be held solely to blame for the debacle of the fall elections. She inherited a wealth of problems and was constantly in the shadows of her boss' political compadres, looking to unseat an incumbent U.S. president in an election where Wisconsin could make or break the result.

With all this in mind, it's time the public rests its case against Lisa Artison. For whatever reason, she has chosen to move on with her life, and we should respect that decision.

We should not, however, accept this action as the sole solution to the troubles facing our electoral process.

In less than two years, we will again go to the polls and pick a new governor for Wisconsin, determine whom we will send to the U.S. Senate and choose a host of state and local representatives. We need to ensure the integrity of those elections.

These problems would not, and cannot, be solved, regardless of Artison's decision, until there is a recognition that a problem exists.

Voter registration, ballot integrity, voter fraud and identification are just a few of the key issues that must have some resolution if we are going to return the integrity of our elections. Unfortunately, Gov. Jim Doyle refuses to provide any leadership at the state level, standing in the way of even the most simple solutions. In fact, Doyle and his liberal allies in the Legislature refuse to embrace a security measure for the ballots that Barrett supports to protect books in the city's library collection.

There has been a lot of debate and some contentious arguments about how to move forward. What cannot happen is to continue to stick our heads in the sand and pretend there is no problem.

So what should we do?

For starters:

• Stop having the discussion about what kind of ID is required, who should pay for it and whether or not it's necessary. It is necessary, and you know it. If you can haul it out at Blockbuster, the library and at a host of other places, you can haul it out on Election Day. Those that can't afford one will be given one; it's just that simple.

• Stop pitting one side of town against another. Implementing standards that have flexibility when needed is the best route to pursue to ensure everyone has the ability to vote in an orderly and fair manner. It's ridiculous to suggest that opposing efforts to waste taxpayer money by ordering three times more ballots that could reasonably be cast is somehow disenfranchising people. If you want to protect every person's right to vote, then you should want to protect their vote so that it actually counts.

• Start using uniform voter lists. Using a statewide voter registration list would allow all parties, all candidates and all citizens to know the starting point for voter registration.

Michael Douglas in the "American President'' says, "Democracy isn't easy. You have to want it, and you have to work at it." I find myself surprisingly agreeing with Douglas for a change. We should eliminate barriers to potential voters, but Americans should want to vote, they should work for it, so they know its value and appreciate the right.

Despite his partisan leadings, Barrett has shown he is willing to reach across the political aisle. Now, more than ever, is the time to do just that. Instead of a team of city insiders, for example, the mayor could consider a special panel to proceed with the running of the Election Commission. For example, former Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske, former Lt. Gov. Margaret Farrow and former Ald. Tom Nardelli would round out a fairly impressive panel to ensure that the employees doing the day-to-day task of administering elections in the city is on the right track.

Regardless of how he proceeds, it is the mayor's one chance to do this right as we head into the 2006 elections. I can think of no more important task than protecting the integrity of the one true liberty that is at the foundation of our county -- the right to vote.

Moving forward, it's time we get the numbers right.

Villa, a principal in the Markesan Group, ran Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker's campaign and is advising Walker on his gubernatorial bid.

The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinions of OnMilwaukee.com, its advertisers or editorial staff.

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