Colorado Governor Jared Polis is deliberating clemency for Tina Peters, a former county clerk convicted of multiple felonies related to unauthorized access of voting machines. Peters, who was sentenced to nine years in prison in October 2024, has garnered attention from former President Donald Trump, who has called for her release. Polis, in his final year of office, emphasized that he will evaluate Peters’ case based on its merits, separate from external pressures.
Peters was found guilty on seven out of ten charges, which included three counts of attempting to influence a public servant and one count of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation. Her actions stemmed from her claims that she sought to uncover voter fraud during the 2020 election, despite a lack of evidence supporting widespread fraud. Trump has publicly supported Peters, asserting in December that he would grant her a pardon. However, this pardon power applies only to federal crimes, and Peters’ convictions were decided in state court.
Polis articulated his stance during an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil, stating, “You can’t give the president the headspace on this.” He indicated that he has numerous clemency requests to consider and aims to treat Peters’ case consistently with others. “You look at every case on the merits,” he noted, highlighting Peters’ status as a nonviolent, first-time offender of advanced age.
While Polis acknowledged certain factors that may favor Peters, he also expressed concerns regarding her accountability. “On the other hand, does she take full accountability for her crime?” he questioned, underscoring the importance of evaluating each case thoroughly rather than in isolation. Polis asserted that the overall context, including the nature of the crimes, plays a crucial role in his decision-making process.
Polis conveyed that he finds cases involving violent crimes particularly challenging when considering clemency. He stated, “To let somebody out at some point — have they made restitution? — is a tough decision, but it’s one that I’m never afraid to shy away from.” As he navigates the complexities of clemency, Polis remains committed to basing his decisions on concrete facts rather than political pressures.
As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how Polis will balance the demands of public figures like Trump with the principles of justice and accountability in his final year as governor.
