The Chamberlain Network Warns Commutation of Tina Peters Sentence Makes Elections Less Safe

Atlanta, GA — Governor Jared Polis’ decision today to commute the sentence of Tina Peters, an elected official convicted of four felonies tied to an election-system breach, makes our elections less safe and undermines confidence in the rule of law.

As Mesa County Clerk, Peters was responsible for safeguarding voting equipment and administering elections according to clear, secure procedures. Instead, she allowed unauthorized access to secure election equipment, helped facilitate the copying of voting-system hard drives, and compromised the safeguards voters rely on to know their elections are safe. Her actions led to the decertification of Mesa County’s voting equipment and her removal from overseeing elections. 

To be clear: Tina Peters was not punished for her opinions. She was convicted because she egregiously, recklessly, and without regard for her duty as a public official, broke the rules that protect every voter’s ballot.

Public officials abusing trusted access to secure voting systems in service of conspiracy theories is a far greater threat to our elections than the conspiracy theories Peters claimed to be chasing.

“Governor Polis had an opportunity to stand with election workers and uphold a basic standard: when public officials compromise secure voting systems, there must be real accountability,” said Chris Purdy, CEO and Founder of The Chamberlain Network. “Instead, this commutation sends a dangerous message that political pressure can soften the consequences for attacking the systems that protect every voter’s ballot.”

Our democratic system depends on free and fair elections administered according to clear rules. Election systems rely on strict chain-of-custody procedures, controlled access, and public officials who follow the law no matter their personal politics. When someone abuses that authority, accountability is essential to protecting both election integrity and public confidence.

As veterans and military families, we know secure systems depend on rules, trust, and consequences. People entrusted with sensitive access carry a higher duty. One Tina Peters failed to meet in every way.

The Chamberlain Network stands with election workers, public servants, and every American whose vote depends on secure, nonpartisan election administration. Our democracy cannot function if officials trusted to protect elections are allowed to break the rules — and then rely on political pressure to escape accountability.