On July 9, President Donald Trump removed Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland, the two Democratic members of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, or EAC. The two commissioners were fired by email. Christy McCormick, the remaining Republican commissioner, resigned. A fourth seat was already vacant, leaving the commission without any commissioners.

The EAC supports state and local election officials, but it does not run Michigan elections or count Michigan ballots. This change should not affect Michigan voters in either the August 4 Primary Election or the November 3 General Election.

What the Election Assistance Commission Does

Congress created the EAC through the Help America Vote Act of 2002. The EAC is designed to be an independent commission made up of two Republican and two Democratic commissioners. The agency also has an executive director and career staff.

The EAC helps improve how elections are run by providing federal election funds, guidance, information, and national standards for voting systems. It also runs the National Voter Registration Form.

The agency serves as a national source of information about how elections are run and how voting equipment works.

What Can Continue Without Commissioners

Career staff remain at the EAC, so the agency has not closed.

Staff can continue distributing existing funds, certifying voting systems, maintaining recommended practices for election officials, issuing guidance, and running the National Voter Registration Form.

Without commissioners, the EAC cannot create new programs, policies, or guidelines. This includes new Voluntary Voting System Guidelines.

These guidelines set national standards for the security and operation of voting systems. Without commissioners, the EAC cannot approve updates involving technical and cybersecurity standards.

Why Election Protection Partners Are Concerned

Election Protection partners say this action is part of a series of attempts by the Trump administration to undermine and interfere with elections. They say these efforts could affect who can vote and who wins or loses. The President does not control state and local elections. Voters choose their leaders through elections run under state and local law.

What This Means for Michigan Voters

Michigan’s local election workers run Michigan elections. The President and his administration do not.

Michigan clerks and election workers will continue carrying out the required steps and safeguards that allow every eligible voter to cast a ballot and help ensure that every vote is counted.

The August 4 Primary Election and November 3 General Election remain scheduled as planned. Michigan voting laws and procedures have not changed. Voters should continue using information from their city or township clerk.

Michigan.gov/Vote allows voters to check their registration, find their clerk, locate an early voting site or Election Day polling place, view a sample ballot, and track an absentee ballot.

Sign Up to Serve as a VAAC Poll Challenger

VAAC is recruiting community members to serve as nonpartisan poll challengers during the 2026 elections.

Poll challengers are trained observers who receive official credentials. They watch election procedures and can raise concerns allowed under Michigan law through a designated election worker. Poll challengers must follow Michigan election law and instructions from election officials.

Poll challengers do not run polling places, handle ballots, assist voters, or interfere with voting or ballot counting.

Complete VAAC’s poll challenger interest form to learn more and indicate that you would like to participate.

People who want to help run elections can also contact their city or township clerk about becoming a poll worker.

Michigan voters will not be intimidated, silenced, or denied their freedom to vote.