Key takeaways
- President Donald Trump nominated Ashley Stow and Andrew Woodson to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on February 11, 2026.
- If confirmed, the nominees would fill two of the FEC’s four vacancies, and the Commission would regain quorum.
- A quorum allows the FEC to resume core functions involving enforcement matters, settlement agreements, investigations, advisory opinions, and litigation defense.
On February 11, 2026, President Trump nominated Ashley Stow and Andrew Woodson to the FEC.
Stow would serve a term expiring April 30, 2029, and Woodson would serve a term expiring April 30, 2031. They would replace departed Republican Commissioners Trey Trainor and Allen Dickerson.
Currently, the FEC has only two commissioners—Chair Shana Broussard and Commissioner Dara Lindenbaum—and four vacancies. The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, as amended, generally requires the affirmative vote of four commissioners to accomplish core agency functions. An FEC directive further limits how the agency may conduct business when it has fewer than four members.
If the Senate confirms Stow and Woodson, the FEC will regain quorum. This means the Commission can once again initiate and resolve enforcement matters, approve settlement agreements, authorize new investigations, issue binding advisory opinions, and defend itself against litigation. A restored quorum would affect the activities of candidates, political committees, companies, and others involved in federal elections.
As of August 2026, no confirmation hearing has been scheduled yet for the FEC nominees.
If you or your legal or government relations staff have any questions about the FEC or campaign finance laws, please feel free to contact the authors of this Legal Development directly.
