Cantwell Statement on Trump Removing All Members of Vital Bipartisan Election Agency

Cantwell Statement on Trump Removing All Members of Vital Bipartisan Election Agency

EDMONDS, WA - Yesterday, President Donald Trump ousted all of the remaining commissioners serving on the independent, bipartisan Election Assistance Commission, gutting the only federal entity dedicated to assisting states' administration of elections. A White House official claimed that President Trump "reserves the right to remove individuals that may not be totally aligned with the important task of securing America's elections."

President Trump fired the two remaining Democrats, while allowing the remaining Republican member of the commission to resign yesterday. A fourth commissioner, another Republican, left his post voluntarily earlier this year. President Trump's actions leave the four-seat commission with zero members, with fewer than four months until the midterm elections and just 70 days until early voting begins in some states.

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the following statement:

"By removing all members of the independent and bipartisan federal Election Assistance Commission, President Trump is making our elections less secure. Only Congress can eliminate the EAC -- but that hasn't stopped the President from trying to fully disable it. I call on my colleagues to stand up against the administration's attempts to undermine free and fair elections."

Established by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), the EAC is an independent, bipartisan commission charged with ensuring accessible, secure, and accurate elections. Since its creation, the EAC has provided essential assistance to state and local election officials, set voting standards, certified voting equipment, and administered the country's most comprehensive election survey, the Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS).