COLUMBUS – The state’s chief elections official will have to wait two weeks to find out if she will get $1.7 million to run tests on Ohio’s new electronic voting machine system, a legislative panel ruled yesterday.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner told the state Controlling Board that the delay likely will make it tougher for her office to complete the testing by January, the deadline she set for issuing the results to county boards of elections. Next year’s primary is early – March 4 – because of the presidential election.

The delay may increase the price of the unbid contract her office negotiated with Denver-based SysTest Labs. The Controlling Board, controlled by Republicans, must sign off on most unbid contracts. Brunner is a Democrat.

The board, made up of six lawmakers and a president who represents Gov. Ted Strickland, voted 4-3 to postpone releasing the money. The board’s four Republicans voted to table the matter; its two Democrats and President Joe Secrest voted against postponement.

Sen. Steve Stivers, a Columbus Republican and board member, told Brunner that he had too many questions about the contract to vote for approval at yesterday’s meeting.