Trump (R) has Terminated Two of the federal Election Assistance Commission's (EAC) Three Members, Eliminating the Panel's Ability to Help Local Election Officials Prepare for the 2026 Midterms. The Two Commissioners Selected by Congressional Democrats, Chairman Thomas Hicks (R) and Benjamin Hovland (R), each Received an email Dismissing Them on 7/9/2026.
Whether Christy McCormick (R), the Commission's Vice Chair, who was Selected by Congressional Republicans, received a SimilarEemail was Not immediately clear. McCormick has Resigned, according to Michael Waldman, President and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. “These removals leave the agency without leadership and unable to carry out its major responsibilities,” Waldman said in a Statement.
A Fourth Position on the Commission became Vacant earlier this year, when Donald Palmer (R) Voluntarily Left the Agency. To Approve any Actions, the Commission needs Agreement from Three of its Four Commissioners. Meanwhile, it could take Months to Fill the Vacancies. The White House and EAC Press Office did Not immediately Respond to a Request for Comment.
State and Local Election Officials have already Complained about a Significant Drop in Assistance ahead of the Midterms from some of the Other Federal Agencies tasked with Helping them Provide Safe and Secure Elections. They have also said they don't expect Federal Agencies to Reliably Share Election Threats. Commissioners were Concerned after the 6/29/2026 U.S. Supreme Court Decision Granting Trump Broad Power, over the Leadership of Agencies Congress Designed to be Independent, the Source said.
By Law, Commissioners must be Nominated by the President based on Recommendations from the Republican and Democratic Leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. There Cannot be more than Two Representatives of either Political Party on the Commission at a time. The Commissioners must be Confirmed by the Senate.
The Commission is the Only Federal Agency Devoted solely to Eelection Administration. It was Created by Congress after the 2000 Election to Help States Improve Election Administration without Federalizing Elections.
It Plays a mostly Supportive Role: Distributing Federal Election Funds, Maintaining the National Mail Voter Registration Form, Testing, and Certifying Voting Systems and Offering Guidance to State and Local Election Officials.
Earlier this year, for example, the Commissioners Approved Extra Security Funding for Election Officials. During the Coronavirus Pandemic, the Ccommission worked with States to Ensure Mail Balloting would be Broadly Accessible by the 2020 Presidential Election.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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