Trump ally convicted of in Colorado vote tampering case released from prison early : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-06-01 16:11:00 — www.npr.org
Tina Peters Released After Trump Pressure
A former Colorado elections official and ally of President Donald Trump, Tina Peters, was released from prison early today after serving time for her role in tampering with voting machines related to the 2020 elections. Peters, who was initially sentenced to nearly nine years, was convicted of several felonies and misdemeanors for allowing unauthorized access to her county’s voting machines.
Background on Conviction
Peters, the former clerk of Mesa County, was linked to Trump allies who promoted false claims about election integrity. In 2024, she was convicted for granting access to her county’s voting machines to individuals associated with election conspiracy theories. Peters claimed she was searching for evidence of election rigging during a secure system update.
Claims of Election Fraud
Despite her assertions, audits, hand counts, and lawsuits have consistently found no evidence supporting claims that voting machines can flip votes. Colorado clerks from both political parties have affirmed the security and accuracy of the state’s elections.
Trump’s Involvement
President Trump attempted to issue a pardon for Peters, but it was symbolic and ineffective since her convictions were in state court, not federal. Over the past year, Trump has publicly called for her release, labeling Peters as a “political prisoner” held hostage by Democrats.
Pressure on Colorado’s Governor
Democrats allege that Trump pressured Colorado’s Democratic Governor Jared Polis to release Peters, suggesting he withheld federal funds from the state as leverage. However, Polis has denied these claims, stating that Peters’ sentence was excessively harsh. He acknowledged her guilt but agreed with a Colorado appeals court that her beliefs about election fraud may have influenced her sentencing.
Reactions to the Commutation
The decision to commute Peters’ sentence has sparked immediate backlash from state officials. The Colorado Democratic Party formally censured Governor Polis, suspending him from speaking at party events for the remainder of his term, citing the decision as “dangerous and reckless.”
Conclusion
The release of Tina Peters highlights ongoing tensions surrounding election integrity and the influence of political figures like Trump on state matters. As the debate continues, it raises questions about the implications of such actions on public trust in the electoral process.