Colorado officials stated Wednesday they do not intend to transfer former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters to federal custody,despite a request from federal authorities. The decision comes amid ongoing concerns from Colorado county clerks who fear Peters’ potential testimony could further erode trust in the stateS election system.
Peters, a vocal proponent of unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, faces federal charges related to a security breach of Mesa County’s voting equipment. County clerks across the political spectrum have expressed concern that a transfer to federal control would allow Peters to publicly disseminate her claims without state oversight, perhaps endangering election workers and undermining confidence in future elections.
John Case, another attorney representing Peters, said Colorado officials appear to want to keep her incarcerated in state prison “where she cannot testify or speak publicly” about computer voting software.
The Colorado County Clerks Association has urged Gov. Jared Polis to reject the federal transfer request. Matt Crane, the association’s executive director, noted the state corrections department ultimately operates under the governor’s direction.
A spokesperson for Gov. Polis,Shelby wieman,released a statement Tuesday praising the integrity of Colorado’s election system and stating the governor welcomes a meeting with clerks regarding the transfer request,but did not directly address whether it would be approved.Wieman added, “Governor Polis takes his responsibilities seriously and has been clear that he will take threats from the federal government head-on – especially when they undermine our democracy.”
Crane expressed dissatisfaction with a recent statement from the Department of Corrections, stating it did not alleviate the clerks’ concerns. The situation remains fluid as Colorado officials weigh the implications of transferring Peters to federal custody.
