On March 27, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) held its scheduled meeting, but with only four commissioners instead of six and without a chairperson. Ellen Weintraub, who was just elected as chair on December 12 of last year, was not present and is currently not listed on the FEC’s website as a current commissioner.

Weintraub had received a letter dated January 31 of this year from President Donald J. Trump informing her he was removing her from the FEC “effective immediately.” While there remains a question of the legality of the firing, the FEC has still been conducting business and holding meetings with just the four commissioners. On January 20, Commissioner Sean J. Cooksey had resigned from the FEC, bringing its number down to five at the time.

The FEC website lists four commissioners with two vacancies: Vice Chairman James E. “Trey” Trainor III and Allen Dickerson, both Republicans, and Shana M. Broussard and Dara Lindenbaum, both Democrats. The FEC requires at least four commissioners to agree on any official action. No more than three commissioners can be from the same party. As it stands, all decisions must be unanimous between the four commissioners. Commissioners are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

At the meeting, Commissioner Dickerson nominated Commissioner Broussard for the position of chair. Following the motion, the commission held over its consideration to a future meeting.