President Trump Removes Members of Election Assistance Commission as Midterms Approach

President Donald Trump has removed the remaining members of the Election Assistance Commission, leaving the agency uncertain about its direction as he works to change election operations before the upcoming midterms. Both Democrats on the commission, Benjamin Hovland and Thomas Hicks, were dismissed, while Christy McCormick, the Republican member, was permitted to resign, according to various sources.

The commission’s abrupt dismantling has alarmed voter advocacy groups and Democratic state election officials, who described it as reckless behavior. Cisco Aguilar, Nevada’s Secretary of State and chair of the Democratic Association of Secretaries of State, expressed concern in a statement, highlighting the commission’s vital role in supporting state and local election officials. He noted that secretaries of state and other election administrators will now have to fill the gap left by these changes.

While the White House did not confirm the specifics of these actions, it stated that President Trump holds the right to remove individuals who may not fully align with the need to secure elections and ensure every legal vote is counted. The administration emphasizes efforts across agencies and local partners to safeguard elections from fraud, focusing especially on the strong infrastructure for the midterm elections.

Requests for comment from Hicks and McCormick went unanswered. However, Hovland, a commissioner since 2019, expressed his pride in serving and his hope for the continuation of the commission’s work. He underscored the bipartisan nature of recent efforts to assist election officials in securing and maintaining election integrity.

Hovland was informed of his removal while visiting a Missouri election office and early voting location. Recognizing the importance of new resources created by the commission, he highlighted innovations such as social media communication templates for voters and training cards for election workers.

Established in 2003, the commission aims to set standards for state voting systems and provide funding for upgrades. It has a four-member board evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. The departure of members provides President Trump an opportunity to appoint replacements aligned with his preferences.

In March 2025, Trump issued an executive order directing changes to the national voter registration form, requiring proof of U.S. citizenship. The commission posted a notice seeking comments, resulting in a substantial response, but no vote had taken place.

The Bipartisan Policy Center notes that these departures represent a significant loss for a federal institution designed for bipartisan governance. Although the commission faced challenges such as infighting and funding issues, it achieved progress with new voting machine standards and support for election officials. Despite its partisan composition, unanimous decisions were common.