The state Elections Commission voted today to accept the resignation of
Kevin Cronin, the state's chief elections officer, and the commission
chairman said he hopes to name an interim replacement soon.

William Marston, the commission's chairman, said the commission would also
launch a search for a permanent replacement with the goal of making a
selection before the 2010 elections.

Marston said the commission would likely look within the state Office of
Elections for an interim leader. Two possibilities, he said, are Rex
Quidilla, who served as interim elections officer before Cronin was hired,
and Scott Nago, an experienced and valued election staffer.

Cronin, who started as chief elections officer in February 2008, will resign
on Dec. 31. He said he was considering a new opportunity but did not want to
publicly disclose the details.

Cronin's tenure was marked by controversy over challenges to new voting
machines that have left the state without voting machines for the 2010
elections.

Cronin's staff said if administrative rules are adopted soon the state could
have new voting machines by spring or early summer.

Cronin presented an election plan to the commission today that calls for
closing 97 of the state's 339 voting precincts because of the lack of
adequate staff and budget concerns.

Representatives from the Democratic Party of Hawaii, the League of Women
Voters, and Common Cause Hawaii objected to the precinct closures, which
could cause long lines at other polling places and voter confusion.

Marston said the commission will likely ask the Lingle administration and
the state Legislature for money to offset budget cuts to the Office of
Elections and help ensure that the September primary and November general
election run properly.

The state may also be eligible for federal money that could help with
election preparation.

Cronin chose not to publicly detail the reasons for his resignation. He
talked with commissioners privately during closed session.

"After considerable thought, I have decided to resign my position as chief
election officer at the end of the year to pursue other opportunities," he
said in a statement. "I want to sincerely thank my staff and the many
volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure a democratic process for the
residents of Hawaii.

"I will miss all the good people in the election office. I am proud that,
with the thousands of volunteers and county election officials, we conducted
in 2008 what many veteran observers and critics (believe) to be the
smoothest primary and general elections in Hawaii in over ten years."