On February 11, 2026, President Trump nominated Ashley Stow and Andrew Woodson to the Federal Election Commission (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.
If you or your legal or government relations staff have any questions about the FEC or the campaign finance laws, please feel free to contact the authors of this Update directly.
