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Democratic Senators Demand EAC Commissioner Rescind False Claims or Resign
Four Democratic senators have called on Election Assistance Commission (EAC) Commissioner Christy McCormick to either immediately disavow conspiracy theories she promoted about noncitizen voting or step down from her position on the bipartisan federal election body.
Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued their demand in a strongly-worded letter on Tuesday, responding to comments McCormick made during a recent panel at the pro-Trump America First Policy Institute.
During that appearance, McCormick claimed Democrats “need open borders, they need illegal citizens to increase their votes […] And this is why they’re fighting so adamantly against us” – statements the senators characterized as “dangerous,” “false,” and “partisan.”
“EAC Commissioners carry an extra level of responsibility when speaking about election administration, and if you stand by your public statements about widespread voter fraud without any evidence, we urge you to resign immediately,” the senators wrote in their joint letter.
The controversy comes amid growing tensions over the EAC’s role and independence. The agency was established to help election officials improve election administration and assist Americans in the voting process. However, critics argue that President Trump has repeatedly attempted to weaponize the agency for partisan purposes.
Senator Padilla, who serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, has been particularly vocal in opposing what Democrats describe as presidential overreach in election administration. Earlier this year, he led 14 Democratic senators in demanding President Trump rescind an executive order that critics argue could disenfranchise millions of voters.
Election security experts have consistently found that noncitizen voting in U.S. elections is exceptionally rare. It is already a federal crime punishable by up to one year in prison, and voter registration requires attestation of citizenship under penalty of perjury. Despite these safeguards, claims of widespread voter fraud have persisted among certain political circles.
“This rhetoric of significant noncitizen voting is used — without evidence — to advance false claims around the security of our elections and anyone who willingly espouses it both undermines election officials, sows distrust in our system and is regularly weaponized to further suppress eligible voters,” the senators emphasized in their letter.
The senators’ demand comes at a time when election officials across the country face unprecedented challenges. A recent report indicated that threats against local election workers have increased significantly, partly fueled by baseless accusations of widespread fraud from high-profile political figures.
The EAC, as a bipartisan commission, is designed to function as a nonpartisan resource for election administration rather than a platform for politically charged rhetoric. The senators argue that McCormick’s statements fundamentally undermine this mission.
“It is completely unacceptable for an individual who was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve on a bipartisan commission with this mission to make inflammatory, false, and partisan claims of voter fraud conspiracy theories,” the senators wrote.
The letter also addressed broader concerns about executive branch attempts to control election procedures, including efforts to modify voter registration with documentary proof of citizenship requirements, direct the EAC to condition federal funds on compliance with registration procedures, prevent states from counting mail ballots received after Election Day, and unilaterally set voting system standards.
According to the senators, these efforts “fall far outside of what the President is able to do and under the Elections Clause, clearly belong to Congress and the States to decide.”
As of this reporting, Commissioner McCormick has not publicly responded to the senators’ letter or indicated whether she intends to retract her statements or resign from her position.
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8 Comments
This situation highlights the importance of having election officials who are committed to nonpartisanship and truth-telling. I’m glad the senators are taking action to address the EAC Commissioner’s concerning comments. Voters deserve integrity and transparency from their election authorities.
The call for the EAC Commissioner to either retract her statements or resign seems appropriate. Election officials must remain impartial and focus on facts, not promote conspiracy theories. I hope this situation is resolved swiftly to maintain public trust.
This is a concerning situation. Elected officials need to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and avoid spreading unsubstantiated claims. I hope the EAC Commissioner either corrects the record or steps down, as the senators have demanded.
As a concerned citizen, I’m troubled by the EAC Commissioner’s statements and the senators’ response. It’s critical that election officials maintain impartiality and focus on facts, not partisan rhetoric. I hope this issue is resolved in a way that restores public trust.
As a voter, I value transparency and truth from election authorities. I’m glad the senators are taking this issue seriously and pushing for accountability. Voters deserve reliable information, not partisan rhetoric, when it comes to the administration of elections.
Interesting developments around election administration and misinformation. I’m curious to learn more about the EAC Commissioner’s claims and how they’ll be addressed. It’s important that election officials provide accurate, evidence-based information to the public.
This is a complex and sensitive issue. I appreciate the senators taking a strong stance to uphold democratic norms and election integrity. It’s crucial that election authorities provide the public with accurate, evidence-based information, not partisan misinformation.
While I understand the desire to investigate potential issues with elections, making unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud can be deeply damaging. I hope the EAC Commissioner either retracts her statements or steps down, as the senators have requested.