All articles tagged with #election administration
President Trump fired two Democratic members and accepted the resignation of a Republican from the bipartisan Elections Assistance Commission, four months before the midterms, signaling a swift move to reshape independent election administration after the Supreme Court loosened his authority to overhaul such boards that were created to secure elections after the 2000 contest.
President Donald Trump fired the last remaining commissioners of the bipartisan Election Assistance Commission, leaving the federal agency without sitting members as he pushes for broader election-rule changes ahead of the 2026 midterms. The EAC helps state and local officials with guidelines, certification of voting systems, and the national mail voter registration form. The move follows a Supreme Court ruling expanding the president’s power to dismiss independent-agency leaders, highlighting ongoing concerns about election administration and integrity amid upcoming elections.
President Trump fired two Democratic-appointed members of the federal Election Assistance Commission and, after a Republican-appointed vice chair’s June resignation, left the four-member panel short-handed and unable to take actions; with two vacancies, the commission cannot approve initiatives and could take months to fill, potentially hobbling federal election guidance and support ahead of the 2026 midterms. The White House says the president reserves authority to remove unaligned officials, while critics warn the leadership vacuum could undermine election administration.
President Trump fired the remaining three commissioners of the Election Assistance Commission, effective immediately, via White House emails, leaving the national body that coordinates election information, certifies voting systems, and maintains the national mail-voter registration form in limbo ahead of the midterms. The removals align with his push to change mail-in voting, and it remains unclear how replacements will be appointed or when the commission will resume normal operations.
A federal appeals court in the D.C. Circuit expedited the Democratic-led appeal to block President Trump’s order on mail-in voting. The briefing deadlines are tight (opening brief due June 17, responses by June 29, and a reply by July 6) with oral arguments set before Judge Millett, Judge Wilkins, and Judge Katsas. The order remains in effect for now, but the accelerated track comes as the administration pushes ahead with related rules and data ideas—such as USPS ballot-delivery restrictions and a DHS citizenship-verification plan—that could influence who gets ballots in the 2026 midterms, while a separate Massachusetts case also weighs a challenge.
A rapid GOP-driven redraw of congressional districts is causing voter confusion over new boundaries and increasing the workload and logistical challenges for election officials as maps are updated ahead of elections.
The Justice Department is pressing states for nonpublic voter-registration data to help clean the rolls, but several Republican-led offices push back on privacy and sovereignty grounds, with some providing data but resisting a stringent 45-day removal deadline; concerns about the data's use and the federal government's role in elections persist amid lawsuits targeting Democratic officials.
Dallas and Williamson counties in Texas are ending countywide voting sites for the March primary, requiring voters to cast ballots at assigned neighborhood polling places, a move driven by party decisions and concerns over security, cost, and voter confusion, with Democrats expressing worries about logistical challenges and potential disenfranchisement.
Wisconsin voters approved two constitutional amendments that prohibit the acceptance of private grants for election administration and restrict non-election officials from participating in election tasks. The amendments were proposed by legislative Republicans in response to Democratic strongholds receiving millions in grants from a nonprofit funded by Mark Zuckerberg. Critics argue that private funding should be allowed due to inadequate government funding, while others believe the second amendment is too vague. The amendments are expected to impact the upcoming presidential election in Wisconsin.
A preliminary report from the Texas Secretary of State's office found multiple failures in Harris County's 2022 election administration, including a shortage of paper ballots, discrepancies in voter registration numbers, and the mailing of unreported mail-in ballots. While the report did not suggest that the outcome of any race was affected, it highlighted the county's inadequate training of election workers. The mishandling of the election has sparked legislative debates, leading to the dissolution of the county's elections administration office. Harris County is now suing the state to reverse the law, with oral arguments expected later this year.
Alabama's Secretary of State, Wes Allen, has announced the expansion of Geographical Information System (GIS) services to all 67 counties in the state. These services aim to improve the accuracy and efficiency of voter districting and election administration. The financing for the acquisition of these GIS services was sourced from federal funds allocated to the Secretary of State's office, and the office will cover the fees for the services from October 2023 to July 2025. This expansion reflects Alabama's commitment to enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of its elections.
North Carolina Republicans have successfully overridden the vetoes of two election bills by the Democratic governor, granting themselves more control over election administration and imposing voting restrictions. The bills rework the composition of state and local election boards, removing the governor from the process and creating evenly divided boards appointed by state legislative leaders. Critics argue that this could lead to gridlock and limit early voting. Another bill adds restrictions such as banning drop boxes and shortening the deadline for receiving mail ballots. Litigation is expected, potentially delaying or blocking the implementation of challenged provisions.
Texas, the largest Republican-led state, is leaving the bipartisan voting list maintenance program known as the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). This move follows a trend of Republican-led states leaving the program, reducing its bipartisan nature. The departure is attributed to rising costs and recently-signed legislation that prevents long-term participation. ERIC has faced attacks and conspiracy theories, but state officials claim their departure is due to frustrations with the program's governance and operation. Texas' departure will take effect in three months, leaving only five Republican-leaning states as members.
Texas Republicans passed two bills targeting Harris County, a Democratic stronghold, that would give the secretary of state power to run elections in the county and increase penalties for illegal voting. Critics are concerned about the potential for voter suppression and the quick transition to new election officials just weeks before Houston's mayoral election. Harris County officials plan to challenge the bills in court, arguing they are unconstitutional and unfairly target their county.