Today was the end, for now, of the Kevin Shelley saga.

The Secretary of State quietly left office as the day ended. Undersecretary of State Kathy Mitchell takes over as acting Secretary until the job is filled. The governor, as you know, has nominated former Senator Bruce McPherson for the post.

Shelley leaves an office that has a lot of work on its plate in the coming weeks and months, including a likely 2005 special election and several federal voting requirements by 2006. And his departure will not end either the criminal investigations into his campaign activities or the questions regarding how he spent federal election reform money.

As for final actions, Shelley's office released a statement saying that he had dropped requirements for lobbyists to file their reports both on paper and online.

Not very exciting news, but probably a welcome break from the headlines as the Shelley era comes to a close.