Tina Peters, a former election clerk who was sentenced to jail for tampering with voting machines following the 2020 U.S. presidential election, was granted clemency Friday by Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D).
Peters, who was convicted in 2024, had been serving a nine-year jail sentence for tampering with voting machines as a part of a failed scheme to show the 2020 election had been rigged in opposition to President Donald Trump.
She was amongst six folks Polis granted parole, efficient June 1.
In a Reality Social publish Friday afternoon, Trump wrote: “FREE TINA!”
Polis advised The New York Instances he didn’t grant clemency to Peters in an effort to appease Trump, however as an alternative believes she was given too harsh a sentence.
“She dedicated against the law; she deserves to be a convicted felon,” he advised the paper, including “she was given an unusually harsh sentence.”
In Might 2021, Peters, the previous Mesa County Clerk, introduced in an out of doors pc professional affiliated with election denier Mike Lindell to make a replica of the county’s election pc server throughout a routine software program replace. Video and images of the Dominion Voting Programs improve, together with county passwords, had been later shared on-line.
A Colorado appeals court docket upheld Peters’ conviction final month however dominated she needs to be resentenced within the case as a result of the decide shouldn’t have thought-about her continued claims of election fraud when sentencing her.
In a letter to Peters, Polis wrote that her utility proved she had taken accountability for her crimes and was dedicated to following the legislation shifting ahead.
“The crimes you had been convicted of are very severe and also you should spend time in jail for these offenses,” the letter reads. “Nevertheless, that is a particularly uncommon and prolonged sentence for a primary time offender who dedicated nonviolent crimes.”
Peters had beforehand admitted no wrongdoing and claimed she was attempting to protect election data.
Trump had lengthy put strain on Colorado officers to launch Peters, writing in a Reality Social publish final 12 months that she was “an harmless Political Prisoner being horribly and unjustly punished.”
He directed the Division of Justice to take the required motion to have Peters launched, referring to her as a ”‘hostage’ being held in a Colorado jail by the Democrats, for political causes.”
Trump granted Peters a pardon late final 12 months, however she was not free of jail as a result of she was convicted of state, not federal, expenses.
A number of Colorado officers issued statements on Friday condemning Polis’ determination.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold stated Polis’ determination would “go away a darkish, harmful imprint on American democracy for years to return.”
“This clemency grant to Tina Peters is an affront to our democracy, the folks of Colorado, and election officers throughout the nation,” Griswold stated in an announcement, including that Peters’ actions value Mesa County almost $1 million in substitute tools.
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), who’s operating to exchange the term-limited Polis, stated in an announcement that he “vehemently disagree[s]” with the governor’s actions.
“Lawlessness solely breeds extra lawlessness,” he stated. “With President Trump persevering with to assault Colorado, we should do all the pieces we will to face sturdy for our establishments and the rule of legislation.”