President Donald Trump has removed the final remaining members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, leaving the independent federal agency without leadership just months before the 2026 midterm elections. The White House confirmed the executive action on Friday, stating that the administration is working to ensure election integrity and that the president reserves the right to appoint individuals aligned with his goals for securing the voting process.
The Election Assistance Commission, established by the 2002 Help America Vote Act, serves as a bipartisan body that provides non-binding guidelines for election administration, certifies voting systems, and maintains the national mail voter registration form. The agency typically requires a quorum of three commissioners to conduct official business or establish new policies.
According to reports, Democratic commissioners Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland were fired by email on Thursday. The commission’s lone remaining Republican member, Christy McCormick, resigned following the dismissals. Another Republican commissioner, Don Palmer, had previously stepped down in April. The sudden vacancy leaves the agency effectively unable to operate in its standard capacity during a critical period for state and local election preparations.
Administration officials cited a recent Supreme Court decision, Trump v. Slaughter, as legal precedent for the removals. The White House maintains that the move is part of a broader effort to safeguard elections from potential fraud and abuse. However, the lack of leadership has sparked immediate concern among lawmakers and election officials regarding the future of federal support for voting infrastructure and the certification of new technology.
While some experts suggest that the commission’s primary work for the 2026 cycle is largely complete, the long-term implications for federal election security coordination remain uncertain. The absence of commissioners creates a significant resource gap for states relying on the agency for training, best practices, and technical assistance as they finalize their preparations for the upcoming November elections.