SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich backed down Tuesday from a controversial bid to remake the state's election board.

The decision came after pressure from Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson and an advisory opinion from Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who called Blagojevich's attempt to temporarily appoint politically connected members to the panel "unauthorized by law."

Watson, R-Greenville, had said the governor's attempt to replace members could hurt the state as it scrambles to prepare for an earlier Feb. 5 presidential primary.

"The acceleration of the primary in a presidential year means the state Board of Elections will have a great deal of preparation work to do," said Watson.

Blagojevich, a Democrat, came under fire last month when he quietly attempted to replace members of the bipartisan panel without seeking input from Republican leaders.

Under state law, potential appointees must be confirmed by a two-thirds majority of the state Senate, which means Republican votes are needed. Members serve four-year terms and earn $41,000 annually.

Among those Blagojevich tried to install without Senate approval were:

- Bruce Meckler, a Democrat whose Chicago law firm has contributed $127,000 to the governor's campaign fund. Meckler's firm has done more than $550,000 in business with the state in the past two years.

- Mary K. Penn of Bloomington, whose husband, John Penn, is chairman of the McLean County Democratic Party and is a prominent official with the Laborer's International union, which has contributed more than $1.3 million to Blagojevich's campaign fund.

- Nicholas Grapsas of Palatine, an attorney who is a partner in the Chicago law firm of Quinlan & Carroll, which is chaired by the father of the governor's chief legal counsel, William Quinlan. Blagojevich nominated Grapsas as a Republican.

- Keith Fruehling, a Republican attorney from Champaign County.

As it stands now, the current board members, who include Chairman Jesse Smart of Bloomington, will continue to serve.

"I'm pleased that was worked out," Watson said after a meeting with the governor.

Watson credited Madigan's five-page opinion as being a key to getting Blagojevich to reverse course.

"I think he's got enough on his plate right now without having to deal with that problem," said Watson.