HONOLULU -- The state elections commission on Wednesday accepted the resignation of its embattled chief elections officer.

The decision provoked emotional debate about management of voting in Hawaii.

Along with his resignation, Kevin Cronin announced plans to close about one-third of the state's polling places. (Check to see if your polling place survived cuts.)

In just 22 months, Kevin Cronin found ways to irritate the Legislature, the governor, the county clerks and candidates. However, on Wednesday he still had some loyal supporters.

"He was sued from the day he took office and personally attacked every step and has provided the state with the best election cycle in decades in spite of it," former Hawaii Elections Commission member Susan Santangelo said.

The election commission chairman said he accepted the resignation with reluctance.

"We were satisfied that he was putting the effort forward there were things that we were concerned with, but we felt that we could deal with them," Chairman William Marston said.

Cronin on Wednesday complained that he has not been able to get money enough to properly staff next year's election.

"No one that I know wants this kind of election, but our hands are tied behind our backs," Cronin said.

Cronin said he had no choice but to eliminate 97 polling places because he said the governor would not let him have enough staff.

Cronin said the governor has not approved 15 temporary election staff usually added for election years. So, he said he does not have enough people to recruit, hire and train precinct workers for all 339 precincts statewide. That prompted him to order 97 closed.

One of his critics suggested the funding was partly Cronin's fault and that his departure is part of the solution.

"It maybe, as long as Kevin was in the office, those funds would not be released and his falling on the sword, so to speak, is forcing the crisis out into the open," Democratic Party member Bart Dame said.

Cronin is the victim of vicious Hawaii politics, some said.

"There were grudges, egos and agendas that got in the way it's a disappointing situation and a sad state of affairs for the state of Hawaii," Santangelo said.

Cronin said nothing about why he quit other than to pursue other opportunities.

Officials said they are concerned that the cuts in precincts will hurt voter turnout.