Trump Fires Last Election Commissioners Leaving Body With Zero Members
A 4-member commission created by HAVA requires 3 votes for any official action; 0 commissioners freezes certifications, guidance updates, and new grants while staff continue routine work under existing authority.
A 4-member commission created by HAVA requires 3 votes for any official action; 0 commissioners freezes certifications, guidance updates, and new grants while staff continue routine work under existing authority.
On July 9 President Trump terminated the last 3 EAC commissioners, leaving the bipartisan body with 0 members and no quorum weeks before midterm preparations intensify.
Why it matters: Local election offices lose the federal clearinghouse and system-certification pipeline that many jurisdictions still rely on for equipment decisions and security guidance heading into November.
Date to watch: Senate confirmation of any replacement nominees, expected to begin after Labor Day recess.
Sources:
- Supreme Court opinion Trump v. Slaughter (2026-06-29)
https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25-322_diff_4f14.pdf - EAC About page (2026-07-01)
https://www.eac.gov/about - EAC Commissioners page (2026-07-01)
https://www.eac.gov/about/commissioners - CRS IF10981 The U.S. Election Assistance Commission An Overview (2026-05-06)
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF10981 - EAC press release Hicks begins term as Chairman (2026-02-24)
https://www.eac.gov/news/2026/02/24/commissioner-thomas-hicks-begins-term-eac-chairman - Votebeat analysis of post-firing operations (2026-07-13)
https://www.votebeat.org/national/2026/07/13/trump-eac-voting-oversight-neutralize-election-assistance/
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