No Clemency for Tina Peters Before Completion of Court-Imposed Sentence

I am writing again to express my strong opposition to any clemency or transfer of custody for former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters before she serves the full sentence imposed by the court. Ms. Peters was convicted of multiple crimes related to the breach of Colorado’s election systems. Her actions were not a minor technical violation. They involved abusing the authority of a public office to allow unauthorized access to sensitive election infrastructure. Conduct of that nature directly undermines the integrity of the democratic process that every Colorado voter relies upon. Recent comparisons between Ms. Peters’ sentence and the probation given to former State Senator Sonya Jacquez Lewis overlook the fundamental differences between the two cases. While both defendants were convicted under the same statute for attempting to influence a public servant, the underlying conduct, number of felony counts, and aggravating factors were substantially different. Ms. Peters’ case involved multiple felony convictions tied to election system access and misuse of official authority. The court considered those broader circumstances when determining the sentence. The judicial process already evaluated the facts, the law, and the aggravating factors before imposing a penalty. Overriding that outcome through clemency would send a damaging message that crimes involving election infrastructure and public trust can be softened through political intervention. Equally concerning is the external political pressure surrounding this case. Colorado’s justice system should not appear to yield to demands from national political figures or federal officials. The rule of law in our state depends on maintaining confidence that sentences imposed by the courts will be carried out. Election officials across Colorado have endured threats and harassment fueled by misinformation about our voting systems. Allowing Ms. Peters to avoid serving the full sentence would further erode trust in the institutions that safeguard our elections. For these reasons, I urge you to allow the court’s sentence to stand and ensure that Ms. Peters serves the full term imposed.