President Donald Trump terminated the remaining members of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) on Thursday, leaving the independent federal body without a quorum just months before the midterm elections, multiple outlets reported. The three remaining commissioners—two Democratic appointees and one Republican—were removed through resignation and email notifications from the White House presidential personnel office, according to Reuters. A message from the White House stated, “On behalf of President Donald J Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as Commissioner of the Election Assistance Commission is terminated, effective immediately. Thank you for your service.” The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
The EAC, established by the 2002 Help America Vote Act, serves as a “national clearinghouse of information on election administration,” accredits testing laboratories, certifies voting systems, and maintains the national mail-voter registration form created under the 1993 National Voter Registration Act. The terminations follow Trump’s advocacy for changes to vote-by-mail rules and ongoing scrutiny of the 2020 election results, which he lost to Joe Biden.
Commission’s Role and Structure
The EAC, a four-member bipartisan panel, was reduced to three commissioners. The remaining members—two Democrats and one Republican—were each removed through distinct processes. The Republican commissioner resigned, while the two Democratic appointees received termination emails from the White House. The commission’s website describes its functions as critical to standardizing election procedures and ensuring voting system reliability.
Implications for Election Administration
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes condemned the move, calling it “irresponsible and dangerous” and warning it risks “causing chaos for election officials.” The EAC’s dissolution could disrupt coordination between federal and state election administrators, particularly as states prepare for midterms. The 2002 law governing the commission allows the president to appoint replacements, but it remains unclear how Trump will proceed.
What May Happen Next
What is the Election Assistance Commission’s primary function? The EAC serves as a “national clearinghouse of information on election administration,” accredits testing laboratories, certifies voting systems, and maintains the national mail-voter registration form.
Which law established the EAC? The 2002 Help America Vote Act created the commission.
How did the commissioners leave their roles? One Republican appointee resigned, while two Democratic appointees were notified of their terminations via email from the White House.
How might the absence of a functioning Election Assistance Commission impact state-level election administration in the 2022 midterms?
Related reading