Colorado Governor Jared Polis commuted the prison sentence of Tina Peters, a former county election clerk, on Friday after months of pressure from Donald Trump and other conservatives. Peters was convicted in 2024 for allowing an unauthorized person to access voting equipment in Mesa County, Colorado, in 2020.
Who is Tina Peters?
Peters served as the county clerk in western Colorado's Mesa County during the 2020 election. She permitted an unauthorized individual to use a security badge to access the county's voting equipment. Subsequently, passwords and other sensitive information related to the election equipment became public and were used by election deniers to question the 2020 election results.
What were her crimes?
In 2024, a jury found Peters guilty of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty, and failure to comply with the secretary of state. She was initially sentenced to nine years in prison.
Why was her sentence commuted?
Governor Polis cited sentencing disparities in his decision. He compared Peters' case to that of former state Senator Sonya Jaquez Lewis, who was convicted of similar felonies but received probation and community service. Polis stated, "It is not lost on me that she was convicted of the exact same felony charge as Tina Peters – attempting to influence a public official – and yet Tina Peters, as a non-violent first time offender got a nine year sentence." He emphasized the need for even application of justice.
Trump had repeatedly urged Polis to pardon Peters as part of efforts to spread false information about the 2020 election. Earlier this year, Trump issued a federal pardon for Peters, which had no effect since her conviction was for state crimes. Trump's pressure campaign coincided with federal decisions that hurt Colorado, including moving to shutter a key climate lab.
Reactions to the commutation
The move drew immediate criticism from Colorado Democrats, including US Senator and former Governor John Hickenlooper. He wrote on social media, "Tina Peters is guilty as sin and a disgrace to Colorado. She tried to undermine Colorado’s free and fair election system … Reducing her sentence sends the wrong message to those seeking to undermine trust in our elections and it will do nothing to deter Donald Trump’s illegal attacks on Colorado."
Peters' case has become a cause célèbre among Trump supporters because she remains the only person incarcerated for attempting to overturn the 2020 election after Trump issued sweeping pardons to those involved in the January 6 riot and aides who assisted with the false elector scheme.
The commutation reduces Peters' sentence from eight and a half years to four and a half. She is now scheduled to be released on June 1.
