President Trump cleans house at the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission
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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 .

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