The state Elections Commission yesterday named Scott Nago, who leads the ballot counting center at the state Office of Elections, as the interim chief elections officer.

Nago, a respected elections staffer who was a finalist for the top job two years ago, was endorsed by the four county clerks.

Nago will oversee the Office of Elections while the commission searches for a permanent replacement for Kevin Cronin, who has resigned effective today.

The commission named a three-member panel to conduct a search for a permanent replacement, which will help decide, among other things, whether the commission will try to find a new chief elections officer before the September primary and November general election.

Some commissioners suggested that choosing a new officer before the elections could disrupt the flow of election preparations.

Nago takes over at a critical time for the Office of Elections, which must obtain new voting machines and plan for the elections with reduced funding because of the state's budget deficit.

Legal challenges have left the state with no voting machines until new administrative rules are adopted.

The Office of Elections also may have to stage a special election to fill the remaining months of U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie's term in Congress. Abercrombie has said he is resigning his urban Honolulu seat to concentrate on his campaign in the Democratic primary for governor.

"It's going to be a very interesting time," said William Marston, the commission's chairman, who conducted yesterday's meeting by video conference to reduce costs. "I just want the public to know that the commission is dedicated to helping in any way we possibly can.

The state Senate Ways and Means Committee has scheduled an informational briefing for Monday to assess the level of readiness at the Office of Elections for a special election.

Senators also will examine options such as whether the special election should be held by mail, through walk-in voting at state buildings, or at traditional polling places.

Nago and Marston also are expected to brief senators on preparations for the primary and general election.