Kevin Cronin, the state's chief elections officer, has told the state Elections Commission that he will resign at the end of the year.

William Marston, the commission's chairman, said Cronin informed the commission of his decision today. The commission is expected to discuss his replacement tomorrow at a meeting at the state Capitol.
Marston said in October that the commission would send a letter expressing displeasure in Cronin's performance after a series of controversies. All four county clerks told the commission that Cronin had not adequately consulted with them on planning for the 2010 elections.
Cronin, an attorney from Wisconsin, started the chief elections officer job in February 2008. He could not immediately be reached for comment.
The state Office of Elections was hit with challenges to an award for new electronic voting machines last year that has left the state with no voting machines for the 2010 elections.
The office is in the process of adopting administrative rules so bids can be accepted from vendors.
Cronin was also criticized for his admission that he did not immediately register to vote in Hawaii -- a requirement of his job -- and his handling of last-minute candidate filings in the 2008 elections.
Despite the controversies, most observers believed the 2008 elections ran smoothly.
Cronin has warned that state budget cuts to his office and the delay in acquiring new voting machines could influence the 2010 elections.