Colorado state officials are urging Governor Jared Polis to deny a controversial federal request that would transfer former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters from state to federal custody, intensifying the national debate over election integrity, legal accountability, and political pressure. Peters, convicted in 2024 for allowing unauthorized access to voting machines, has become a rallying figure for election denialism, with her case drawing sharp opinions from lawyers, clerks, and advocacy groups across the U.S.
Official Backlash Against Federal Transfer
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has requested that Peters, currently serving a nine-year state sentence, be moved into federal custody. The move has sparked backlash from the bipartisan Colorado County Clerks Association and Secretary of State Jena Griswold, who argue that such a transfer would set a dangerous precedent and undermine the state’s justice system. “Tina Peters stands alone as an example of the nefarious actions and outcomes of election denialism,” Griswold stated, calling on the governor to “uphold the authority of Colorado courts and Colorado law.”
Risks for Election Officials
Clerks across Colorado warn that granting the transfer would embolden individuals promoting false election claims and further endanger election workers who are already subject to threats and harassment. The County Clerks Association argued that removing Peters would “send a deeply damaging message” to officials who honor their oaths under difficult circumstances. Denver Clerk and Recorder Paul López labeled the potential transfer “a betrayal” to bipartisan election workers nationwide.
Background: The Case Against Peters
Peters was found guilty of multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after permitting a man connected to MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell and the “Stop the Steal” movement to access Mesa County’s voting system in May 2021, in hopes of finding evidence supporting claims of fraud in the 2020 election. She has maintained her innocence, claiming a duty to preserve election data, but was chastised by the court for lacking remorse. Peters is appealing her conviction, citing worsening health issues including recurring lung cancer and fibromyalgia.
DOJ Review and Unresolved Questions
The Department of Justice announced in March it would review Peters’ sentence, which some federal officials have called “exceptionally lengthy.” Acting U.S. Assistant Attorney General Yaakov M. Roth voiced concern over her prosecution but did not elaborate on potential next steps. For now, Governor Polis has not indicated whether he will approve the transfer, as critics and supporters of Peters closely watch the heated legal and political proceedings.
This ongoing case highlights the simmering tensions between state and federal authority at the heart of America’s election debates, and the personal consequences for those who challenge—or uphold—the rules.