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Colorado Governor Jared Polis has granted clemency to Tina Peters, a former county clerk and ally of President Donald Trump, reducing her prison sentence and making her eligible for parole on June 1. Peters was convicted in 2024 for tampering with election equipment in Mesa County, Colorado, as part of an effort to support Trump's claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election.
Initially sentenced to nearly nine years, Peters' sentence was reduced after a state appeals court ruled that her free speech rights were not properly considered during sentencing. The court upheld her conviction but ordered a new sentencing hearing, which Polis pre-empted with his clemency decision. Polis stated that the original sentence was overly harsh and influenced by Peters' public comments about election integrity.
Polis emphasized that his decision was not influenced by pressure from Trump, who had been advocating for Peters' release. Trump had previously issued a symbolic federal pardon for Peters, despite her conviction being for state-level crimes. Polis, in his final year as governor, expressed a desire to focus on mercy and second chances, noting that Peters admitted to making a mistake in her clemency application.
The decision has been met with criticism from Colorado Democrats and election officials, who argue that it sets a dangerous precedent and could embolden election denial movements. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold and other officials have voiced concerns that the clemency undermines efforts to hold those who tamper with elections accountable. Despite the backlash, Polis maintains that his decision was based on ensuring fairness in sentencing, not political pressure.