Full Breakdown
Trump Dismisses Remaining Election Assistance Commission Members Ahead of 2026 Midterms
7/13/2026, 7:59:34 PM
Core Event
On July 9, 2026, President Donald Trump removed the two Democratic commissioners of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC)—Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland—by email, while Republican commissioner Christy McCormick resigned under pressure. A fourth seat, held by Republican Donald Palmer, had been vacant since April. With all four seats empty, the bipartisan, independent agency lacks a quorum and cannot approve new policies or certify voting equipment.
Background & Context
The EAC was created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to support state and local election officials, certify voting systems, distribute federal election-security grants, and maintain the national mail-voter-registration form required by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The commission’s four-member board is statutorily split evenly between Democrats and Republicans, and commissioners are presidential appointees confirmed by the Senate.
Key Figures & Groups
- Donald Trump – President, citing the Supreme Court’s Slaughter decision as authority to remove agency heads.
- Thomas Hicks – Democratic chairman of the EAC, dismissed July 9.
- Benjamin Hovland – Democratic commissioner since 2019, dismissed July 9.
- Christy McCormick – Republican commissioner who resigned July 9.
- White House officials – Issued the administration’s justification.
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Cal.) – Leading Democratic critics.
- Tobias Read, Oregon secretary of state (Democrat); Steve Simon, Minnesota secretary of state (Democrat) – State officials commenting on operational impact.
Why It Matters
The EAC’s inability to act could delay updates to voluntary voting-system guidelines, impede certification of new voting equipment, and stall the administration of federal election-security grants. While the agency’s day-to-day functions continue under career staff, the lack of a quorum means no formal actions—such as revising the national voter-registration form or approving new certification standards—can be taken before the November 2026 midterm elections.
Official Statements & Responses
The White House asserted that the president “reserves the right to remove individuals that may not be totally aligned with the important task of securing America’s elections and ensuring every legal vote is counted,” and linked the action to the Slaughter decision, which expanded presidential authority over independent agencies. The administration added that it has been “working across all agencies and local partners to safeguard elections from fraud and abuse” ahead of the midterms. No specific reason for the dismissals was provided, and the White House declined to detail any plan for appointing replacements.
Criticism & Opposition
Democratic leaders described the firings as a power grab. Chuck Schumer called the move “a brazen attempt to seize control of our elections before a single vote is cast.” Mark Warner warned it “should concern every American, regardless of party.” Alex Padilla said the action “dismantles yet another independent guardrail of our democracy.” State officials such as Tobias Read argued the president should focus on restoring funding for election-security agencies rather than “manufactured controversy.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read said the state is “prepared to step into that gap” but emphasized that the president’s focus should be on “restoring funding” and “making it easier for more people to have access to paper mail-in ballots.” Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon noted that the change “will not have any immediate impact on the administration of elections in Minnesota or across the country,” but warned it is “another canary in the coal mine.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Election-technology experts such as Ryan Macias contend the dismissals will have “little or no impact on the day-to-day business” because certification processes can continue without commissioner votes. Conversely, Democratic officials argue the loss of formal authority could “slow decisions involving voting-system standards” and create uncertainty for states. No timeline has been given for nominating and confirming new commissioners, leaving the agency’s long-term capacity unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The President, and head of the Executive Branch, reserves the right to remove individuals that may not be totally aligned with the important task of securing America’s elections and ensuring every legal vote is counted.” — White House official
- “Firing every remaining member of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission months before the midterms is a brazen attempt to seize control of our elections before a single vote is cast,” — Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (D-N.Y.)
- “challenging to operate without commissioners or a quorum.” — Benjamin Hovland, former EAC commissioner
- “So, if the president were serious about this, he'd be focused on that, instead of this kind of manufactured controversy and exceeding his authority.” — Tobias Read, Oregon secretary of state
