Key Takeaways

• Colorado clerks urge Governor Polis to keep Tina Peters behind bars.
• They cite serious safety threats linked to her actions.
• Donald Trump has called for her release, increasing tension.
• Officials see this fight as vital for election security.
• Governor Polis has not yet said whether he will act.

Colorado clerks are warning that releasing Tina Peters from state prison would put their safety at risk. They publicly asked Governor Jared Polis to refuse any transfer of her to federal custody. Since her conviction for a data breach scheme tied to claims of 2020 election fraud, Tina Peters has become a polarizing figure. Now, local election workers face threats they blame on the fallout from her actions.

Background of the Tina Peters Case

In 2022, Tina Peters served as Mesa County Clerk and Recorder. She helped a Trump ally steal secret voting machine data. A jury found her guilty on multiple felony and misdemeanor counts. These included influencing a public servant, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, and official misconduct. She also broke election laws. Consequently, a judge gave her a nine-year sentence in state prison.

Rather than backing down, Peters insisted she exposed “rigged” results. She even let a podcaster record private election settings in the clerk’s office. Then she shared that recording with Mike Lindell, who claimed it proved massive voter fraud. In truth, no proof of widespread fraud ever surfaced. Meanwhile, Dominion Voting Systems sued multiple people over false claims about their machines. That fight ended with a huge settlement.

Pressure from Trump on Tina Peters Release

Recently, former President Donald Trump demanded that Tina Peters be freed. He made his appeal on his social media platform. In his post, he claimed she was “dying & old” for trying to reveal voter fraud. However, Trump can only pardon federal crimes. Peters was convicted of state-level offenses. Still, her backers hope he will exert political pressure.

Moreover, one of Peters’s allies went further by endorsing violence. A conservative podcaster suggested executing the governor, secretary of state, and attorney general. These calls for harm alarmed clerks across Colorado. They see such threats as the direct result of inflamed rhetoric around Tina Peters’s case.

Safety Fears Among Clerks

County clerks say they now live in fear for themselves and their families. Carly Koppes, a clerk in Weld County, described a threat that used Peters’s name. She said someone urged that she be tarred and feathered if she refused to break the law like Peters did.

Koppes also shared how she had to plan a safe trip to the grocery store before Thanksgiving. She even hid her pregnancy because violent online trolls made cruel remarks about her unborn child. These attacks started when Peters first rose to fame in 2021. Since then, Koppes and others have faced a steady stream of harassment.

Jenny Thomas, a clerk in Routt County, explained how her office now uses shatterproof glass. She and her team memorize escape routes in every building. They never go out alone. Each conspiracy theory that spreads online can push someone over the edge. They worry that more violence could follow if Peters gains freedom.

Call to Uphold the Rule of Law

On Tuesday, seven county clerks held a joint news conference. They sent a letter to Governor Polis asking for an in-person meeting. They want to explain why Tina Peters must stay in state custody. They stressed that this is not a political fight but a matter of upholding justice.

Denver Clerk Paul López said releasing Peters would be a “betrayal” of every election official in Colorado. He urged Polis not to give in to “a reckless president” who keeps attacking democratic rules. Instead, he called on the governor to protect election security and the people who run elections every day.

Likewise, Jenny Thomas told reporters that clerks are everyday citizens. They coach sports teams, host potlucks, and attend school events. Yet they now face real threats. She said: “Tina Peters is not a victim. She is a convicted felon.” Therefore, letting her go free would send the wrong message about accountability.

Governor Polis has not yet replied to these requests. His silence worried many clerks, who noted that no answer can be louder than a refusal. Meanwhile, the debate has captured national attention. It highlights how fragile trust in elections can become when false claims spread unchecked.

Why Election Security Matters

Election workers ensure every vote counts. They train for months on complex rules. They follow strict procedures for handling ballots, verifying identities, and storing records. When someone breaches those systems, it threatens every voter.

In this case, Tina Peters broke into a secure election office and gave private files to outsiders. Those files included personal data of thousands of voters. They also contained software that controls voting machines. Exposing that information risks both privacy and trust.

If election officials lose trust in their own systems, they may fear for their safety or question results. Threats can deter honest workers from running for office. Over time, this could harm democracy itself. For these reasons, clerks say keeping Peters in custody is vital.

What Comes Next

Governor Polis now faces a tough decision. If he lets Tina Peters transfer to federal custody, clerks warn that threats will likely grow. They argue that this will do lasting damage to election security. On the other hand, ignoring calls for clemency could inflame Peters’s supporters.

Some legal experts say that state and federal systems have different rules on prison transfers. They note that a transfer does not equal a pardon. Yet clerks remain unconvinced. They fear any change in Peters’s status will serve as a political victory for election deniers.

Still, many hope the governor will choose public safety and rule of law over partisan pressure. They believe that democracy works best when officials follow the same laws they enforce.

Meanwhile, Trump’s ongoing claims about 2020 election fraud remain unproven. Courts, federal agencies, and election experts have found no evidence of widespread fraud. Yet the issue keeps resurfacing in politics. This case shows how those claims can have real-life consequences.

As the debate unfolds, all eyes are on Colorado. The decision about Tina Peters may set a precedent for similar cases nationwide. For now, clerks ask citizens to stand with them. They want the governor to hear their worries and keep election workers safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were election clerks afraid of Tina Peters?

Clerks say that threats linked to Peters’s supporters have grown since her conviction. They worry her release would fuel more harassment and violence.

Can President Trump pardon a state court conviction?

No. The president can only pardon federal crimes. Peters’s convictions are at the state level, so Trump cannot directly free her.

What was Tina Peters convicted of?

She was found guilty of influencing a public servant, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, official misconduct, and several election-related misdemeanors.

Why do clerks think this fight matters for democracy?

They believe letting Peters go free would weaken trust in election laws and endanger those who run fair votes every day.