<P> Division over the issue became especially prominent during the last several years of the Obama administration . Commissioners deadlocked on several votes over whether to regulate Twitter, Facebook, and other online mediums for political speech, as well as a vote to punish Fox News for the selection criteria it used in a presidential debate . Democrats argued for more regulation on the basis that it would protect consumers and encourage more inclusive political speech . Republicans opposed regulation, with former chairman Lee Goodman accusing Democrats of trying to alter the First Amendment by "administrative fiat ." </P> <P> Critics of the Commission also argue that this structure regularly causes deadlocks on 3 - 3 votes, but others argue that deadlocks are actually quite rare, and typically based on principle rather than partisanship . Since 2008, 3 - 3 votes have become more common at the FEC . From 2008 to August 2014, the FEC has had over 200 tie votes, accounting for approximately 14 percent of all votes in enforcement matters . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Name </Th> <Th> Position </Th> <Th> Party </Th> <Th> Appointed by </Th> <Th> Sworn in </Th> <Th> Term expires </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Walther, Steven T. Steven T. Walther </Th> <Td> Chairman </Td> <Td> Independent </Td> <Td> George W. Bush </Td> <Td> 000000002008 - 06 - 27 - 0000 June 27, 2008 </Td> <Td> 000000002009 - 04 - 30 - 0000 April 30, 2009 <P> Term expired--serving until replaced </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Hunter, Caroline C. Caroline C. Hunter </Th> <Td> Vice Chairman </Td> <Td> Republican </Td> <Td> 000000002008 - 06 - 24 - 0000 June 24, 2008 </Td> <Td> 000000002013 - 04 - 30 - 0000 April 30, 2013 <P> Term expired--serving until replaced </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Petersen, Matthew S. Matthew S. Petersen </Th> <Td> Commissioner </Td> <Td> Republican </Td> <Td> 000000002008 - 06 - 24 - 0000 June 24, 2008 </Td> <Td> 000000002011 - 04 - 30 - 0000 April 30, 2011 <P> Term expired--serving until replaced </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Weintraub, Ellen L. Ellen L. Weintraub </Th> <Td> Commissioner </Td> <Td> Democratic </Td> <Td> 000000002002 - 06 - 06 - 0000 June 6, 2002 </Td> <Td> 000000002007 - 04 - 30 - 0000 April 30, 2007 <P> Term expired--serving until replaced </P> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Goodman, Lee E. Lee E. Goodman </Th> <Td> Commissioner </Td> <Td> Republican </Td> <Td> Obama, Barack Barack Obama </Td> <Td> 000000002013 - 10 - 22 - 0000 October 22, 2013 </Td> <Td> 000000002015 - 04 - 30 - 0000 April 30, 2015 <P> Term expired--serving until replaced </P> </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Name </Th> <Th> Position </Th> <Th> Party </Th> <Th> Appointed by </Th> <Th> Sworn in </Th> <Th> Term expires </Th> </Tr>

Who is the independent officer that manages federal elections