Polis commutes Tina Peters sentence, sets parole eligibility

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis commuted the prison sentence of Tina Peters, a former Mesa County election clerk convicted in a 2021 election-equipment breach case, a decision that will make Peters eligible for parole on June 1, 2026. Polis announced the clemency alongside dozens of other pardons and commutations on Friday, reducing Peters’ state sentence and prompting immediate criticism from top state election officials.

Peters, who was 73, was convicted in 2024 of state felony and misdemeanor counts including attempting to influence a public servant, official misconduct, conspiracy related to criminal impersonation, violation of duty, and failure to comply with state election requirements. Prosecutors said she allowed an unauthorized person access to secure election equipment and that sensitive data related to the voting system was later made public. She was sentenced in 2024 to 8 years and 3 months in state Department of Corrections custody and 6 months in county jail.

The commutation followed an April ruling by the Colorado Court of Appeals that ordered resentencing. The appellate court said the original sentence relied in part on an improper consideration of Peters’ protected...