Former Colorado Clerk Denied Release After Election Fraud Conviction

A federal judge has decided against releasing a former clerk from Colorado who was found guilty of attempting to compromise voting systems in support of President Donald Trump’s allegations of election fraud in 2020.

Tina Peters, 70, received a nine-year sentence after a jury determined she was involved in a scheme to disrupt the voting system in Mesa County. Earlier this year, Peters filed a lawsuit claiming her rights to free speech were violated, but Judge Scott Verholak dismissed her request on Monday.

“Ms. Peters raises important constitutional questions about whether the trial court unfairly penalized her for speech protected by the First Amendment,” Verholak stated. “However, since this matter is still pending in a Colorado court, we cannot address it until that court has made a ruling.”

Peters stands out as the only ally of Trump to be sentenced for opposing the 2020 election results, and she has garnered substantial support from the former president.

Trump has publicly referred to Peters as a “political prisoner,” arguing that she is facing unjust punishment as a result of what he calls political persecution by radicals on the left. He criticized the imprisonment, suggesting it was comparable to efforts to free MS-13 gang members. He urged Colorado to reconsider Peters’ situation.

Yet, because Peters was convicted of state charges, Trump and the federal Justice Department have limited power to influence her case. His administration even attempted to move her to federal custody but was unable to do so.

Colorado’s Governor Jared Polis has stated that he will not issue a pardon for Peters, reinforcing his commitment to upholding state law and ensuring accountability in her case.