Washington, D.C. — Democracy Forward filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) today to compel the release of records related to the agency’s communications and activities concerning election administration, including potential efforts to restrict voting access and reported coordination with individuals and groups associated with election denial. This lawsuit comes as the Trump-Vance administration has continued efforts to threaten states, intimidate election officials, and call into question the integrity of voting systems ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, challenges the EAC’s failure to comply with multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking records about communications between EAC commissioners, outside organizations that have promoted false claims about election integrity, and other actors regarding elections.
Democracy Forward also sought records to better understand the role of outside influence on the agency’s decision-making, particularly amid concerns that individuals associated with election denial efforts may be shaping federal election policy. Despite acknowledging the requests, the agency has failed to produce records or make timely determinations as required by law.
“The commission tasked with supporting our elections cannot operate in secrecy, especially in light of the Trump-Vance administration’s efforts to undermine elections and restrict voting rights,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “But that is what it is doing. It has suggested that it may only produce records of its activities until after the 2026 elections. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s failure to release these records before the 2026 elections raises urgent questions about who is influencing decisions that impact Americans’ fundamental right to vote. The public deserves transparency now, and we will continue going to court to ensure accountability.”
Democracy Forward submitted FOIA requests in February 2026 seeking urgent information about the EAC’s communications and activities ahead of the 2026 federal elections. The agency has indicated it may not produce responsive records until February 2027, well after the elections, despite the time-sensitive nature of the requests.
The lawsuit asks the court to order the EAC to conduct a thorough search for responsive records, produce all non-exempt materials, and stop unlawfully withholding information from the voters and the public.
The case is Democracy Forward Foundation v. U.S. Election Assistance Commission, and the team at Democracy Forward includes Daniel McGrath, Amy Vickery, and Robin Thurston.
Read the complaint here.
