President Donald Trump has removed the three remaining commissioners of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), leaving the bipartisan federal agency without leadership or a quorum just months before the 2026 midterm elections. The move, which involved the firing of Democratic commissioners Benjamin Hovland and Thomas Hicks and the requested resignation of Republican commissioner Christy McCormick, follows a recent Supreme Court decision that expanded presidential authority to remove members of independent federal agencies.
The EAC serves as a clearinghouse for election administration, providing voluntary guidance and resources to state and local officials. Under its governing statute, the agency requires a quorum of three commissioners to make significant policy decisions or take formal administrative actions. With the commission now vacant, its ability to function is effectively suspended.
Legal Precedent and Executive Authority
The administration’s decision to vacate the commission comes less than two weeks after the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Trump v. Slaughter. In that decision, the Court held that the president possesses the authority to remove members of independent agencies at will, a significant departure from decades of established precedent regarding the insulation of certain federal bodies from direct political interference.
Election law expert Rick Hasen noted in a blog post on July 9, 2026, that the vacancy creates an environment where the administration could attempt to influence election policy without the typical regulatory guardrails. Hasen suggested that the administration might seek to direct the commissioner-less agency to alter federal voter registration forms, specifically to require documentary proof of citizenship—a policy goal that had been previously challenged in federal court.
Impact on Election Administration
Michael Waldman, president and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice, stated that the removals are “deeply concerning” and leave the agency unable to fulfill its congressionally mandated responsibilities. According to the Brennan Center, the agency’s structure was intentionally designed to be bipartisan, with no more than two members from a single political party, to ensure that election guidance remained neutral.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes described the move as “irresponsible and dangerous,” noting that it threatens the stability of nonpartisan election administration.
Broader Context of 2026 Election Policy
The purge of the EAC is part of a broader shift in federal election policy under the current administration. President Trump has previously expressed a desire to increase federal oversight of the electoral process ahead of the 2026 midterms. This includes public support for the SAVE America Act, which would implement stricter federal voter registration requirements, and ongoing efforts to restrict mail-in voting procedures.
Public Citizen co-president Lisa Gilbert emphasized that while the EAC provides important support, the responsibility for running elections remains primarily with state and local governments. Legal observers expect that any attempt to force policy changes through the now-vacant EAC will likely trigger immediate legal challenges that could reach the Supreme Court on an emergency basis.
For now, the agency remains in a state of leadership flux. The next formal checkpoint for the commission’s future will depend on whether the White House submits new nominations to the Senate for confirmation. Until then, the agency’s official website and administrative functions remain in a period of limited capacity.
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