With just months until the midterms, President Trump relieved the remaining members of the bipartisan U.S.Election Assistance Commission, a move that drew swift condemnation from Democrats and voting rights advocates.An association of state election officials sent word out to its members on Thursday about Trump's dismissals, and in a statement a White House official said 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.
The Slaughter decision gives the President precedence to do so."In the Slaughter case, the U.S.Supreme Court late last month ruled that a president has a freer hand to remove members of independent federal agencies.The EAC moves also come as Trump continues to try to influence elections in unprecedented ways.For instance, Trump issued a 2025 executive order that called on the EAC to add a proof-of-citizenship requirement to the federal voter registration form it maintains.
Judges have blocked that executive order's main provisions, saying they exceed a president's constitutional authority.The EAC was created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA).The under-the-radar agency certifies voting systems and develops guidelines for state and local election administration, among its charges.Its four commissioners are nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.
HAVA specifies that no more than two commissioners may belong to the same political party.A Republican, Don Palmer, had already departed earlier this year, leaving two Democratic members — Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland — and one Republican, Christy McCormick.
Trump dismissed Hicks and Hovland; McCormick resigned her position.All three had been confirmed by the Senate unanimously.A spokesperson for the EAC did not respond to a request for comment.California U.S.Sen.
Alex Padilla and New York U.S.Rep.
Joe Morelle, the ranking Democrats on c...