Tina Peters Says Democrats ‘Will Cheat' After Colorado Prison Release
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters said Democrats "will cheat" shortly after being released from prison Monday following the commutation of her sentence by Governor Jared Polis, reigniting political tensions around her high-profile election-interference case.
Her remarks underscore the ongoing national divide over the 2020 election and the broader movement challenging its legitimacy, despite repeated audits and court rulings affirming the results. Peters' release-and her immediate return to promoting election conspiracy claims-has drawn sharp criticism from state officials, who warn it could embolden election denial efforts heading into future votes.
Appearing on Steve Bannon's War Room program shortly after her release, Peters said, "I know that the Democrats are going to cheat, and no one is really addressing the problem that I spent my time in prison as retribution for.”
Her release came after Polis, a Democrat, commuted her nine-year prison sentence last month, saying it was "extremely unusual and lengthy" for a first-time nonviolent offender.
What was Tina Peters Convicted of?
Peters, a Republican who served as Mesa County clerk, was convicted in 2024 on multiple counts tied to a scheme to breach election system security following the 2020 presidential election.
Prosecutors said she helped orchestrate unauthorized access to voting equipment in 2021, allowing an outside expert affiliated with MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell to copy data from Dominion Voting Systems machines.
The breach occurred as election conspiracy theories spread among allies of President Donald Trump, who continued to dispute his 2020 loss.
Jurors in Mesa County found Peters guilty of offenses including attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation and official misconduct, among other charges.
Authorities said the copied data and images-including passwords-were later shared publicly, fueling false claims that voting machines had been manipulated to alter the election outcome.
Why Did Colorado Gov. Jared Polis Commute Tina Peters’ Sentence?
Polis said his decision was driven primarily by concerns about the length and legal basis of Peters' sentence rather than her guilt or innocence.
In his clemency letter, the governor wrote that while Peters committed "serious crimes" and deserved prison time, her punishment was disproportionately severe for a first-time offender convicted of nonviolent offenses.
He also pointed to the appellate court's findings that the sentencing judge improperly considered Peters' protected speech when determining her prison term.
"I agree with the appeals court," Polis said in explaining his decision, adding that her views-however incorrect-should not have been a factor in determining her punishment.
The commutation followed sustained public pressure from Trump and his allies, who championed Peters' case but lacked authority to issue a federal pardon because her conviction was under state law.
Critics, including Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, warned that releasing Peters could "embolden" election denial efforts, while Democratic politicians argued it sends a dangerous signal about accountability.
Peters, however, has shown little sign of retreating from her claims. In addition to her remarks alleging Democrats would "cheat," she said she plans to focus on advocacy work and continue speaking about election integrity issues following her release.
Her case remains a flashpoint in the broader national battle over election legitimacy, with implications likely to extend into future election cycles.
After her release, Colorado’s Democratic Senator Michael Bennet, who is running for governor, said in a post on X, “If anyone had doubts about whether Tina Peters learned anything from her imprisonment, she answered that question within hours of her release.”
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This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 11:53 AM.