Benjamin Hovland, one of two Democratic members of the Election Assistance Commission dismissed last week by President Trump, has described receiving notice of his firing via a brief email with no explanation.
Hovland told NPR that the message stated his services were no longer needed in just two sentences. He noted some prior indication from a recent Supreme Court decision on presidential removal powers but said there was no advance warning.
The bipartisan commission, established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 after the 2000 election, certifies voting equipment, distributes grants, conducts research, and shares best practices among states. With all commissioners now gone following the firings and a Republican resignation, Hovland said the staff can continue operations but policy decisions like new voting standards require a quorum.
He emphasized the agency's customer service role in supporting state and local election officials. Hovland expressed concern that removing the bipartisan structure could erode norms and public confidence in elections.
