Trump Removes Remaining Federal Election Assistance Commissioners Ahead of Midterms

U.S. President Donald Trump has removed the remaining members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the independent federal agency that supports election administration nationwide, just months before the 2026 midterm elections, according to a report published by The Guardian.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission headquarters as concerns mount over changes to the federal election oversight body. (Photo: ajay_suresh Flickr)

The commission's remaining three members were forced out through separate actions.

The lone Republican commissioner resigned, while the two Democratic commissioners received emails from the White House Presidential Personnel Office informing them that their appointments had been terminated.

"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 email, obtained by Reuters, stated.

The Election Assistance Commission serves as the nation's clearinghouse for election administration information, accredits voting-system testing laboratories, certifies voting equipment, and maintains the national mail voter registration form established under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.

The dismissals follow the Trump administration's efforts to tighten vote-by-mail requirements and renewed scrutiny of the 2020 presidential election, which Trump lost to Joe Biden.

"It is irresponsible and dangerous that this administration remains dead set on causing chaos for our election officials across this country," Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said in a statement.

"This move undermines the integrity of nonpartisan election administration."

Under the Help America Vote Act of 2002, the president has the authority to appoint replacement commissioners, although it remains unclear how quickly new appointments will be made.