President Donald Trump fired the two remaining Democratic members of the independent Election Assistance Commission on Thursday [1].
The move leaves the federal agency without any members, removing a critical layer of nonpartisan oversight ahead of the November midterm elections.
Trump removed Benjamin Hovland (D) and Thomas Hicks (D) from their positions [2]. This action followed the resignation of Republican member Christy McCormick [3]. In total, three members have been removed from the commission [4].
The Election Assistance Commission is an independent federal body based in Washington, D.C. It is designed to provide guidance and support to election officials across the U.S. without partisan interference.
Reports indicate that Trump sought to impose control over how ballots will be counted in the upcoming November midterm elections [5]. By clearing the commission, the administration can potentially reshape the leadership of the agency to align with specific counting preferences.
Because the commission currently has no members, its ability to issue official guidance or certify standards for the midterms remains in question. The vacancy of all seats creates a vacuum in the federal administration of election assistance, a situation that is rare for an independent agency tasked with maintaining the integrity of the voting process.
“The independent Election Assistance Commission has no remaining members”
The dissolution of the Election Assistance Commission's membership just months before a midterm election removes a bipartisan buffer intended to standardize voting procedures. By eliminating the existing board, the administration gains the ability to appoint new members who may prioritize specific ballot-counting methodologies, potentially increasing legal and political volatility during the November vote tally.
