The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 11, 2026
Colorado Governor Jared Polis commuted the 9-year sentence for Mesa County clerk Tina Peters May 15th, leading to her release June 1st. An unrepentant Peters immediately repeated her baseless voter fraud claims, and Polis has since been censured by his party.
In August 2024, Peters was convicted on four felony charges and additional misdemeanors by 12 Mesa County jurors. Peters gave unauthorized access to the county’s Dominion Voting Systems tabulators to two conspiracy theory activists linked to MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. The election data was copied and later turned up online.
President Donald Trump pardoned Peters in December 2025, but since the felony conviction was in state court, the pardon had no effect. Citing support for Peter’s free speech rights, Polis commuted Peters’ sentence to allow for her release from state prison June 1st after 19 months.
U.S. Senator Michael Bennet posted, “I don’t think she was sent to prison for her views. She was sent to prison for breaking into voting machines in Mesa County, Colorado, and manipulating them with a colleague of the MyPillow guy.”
According to Colorado Newsline, 90% of the central committee of the Colorado Democratic Party voted to censure Polis May 20th. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said in a statement that the commutation was, QUOTE “an affront to our democracy, the people of Colorado, and election officials across the country.”
The day she was released, a defiant Peters told former Trump advisor Steve Bannon there was still no investigation of the election machines that allowed 2020 votes to be flipped.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Colorado Newsline – Colorado Gov. Polis cuts Tina Peters’ prison sentence in half
Colorado Newsline – Colorado Democrats vote to censure Gov. Polis over Tina Peters commutation
Politico – Tina Peters says Democrats will ‘cheat’ in midterms
Colorado Public Radio – Tina Peters is free, but the story is likely far from over
US Senator Michael Bennet – Video Comment on Peters’ Release
Colorado Secretary of State’s Office – Statement from Secretary of State Jena Griswold following the release of Tina Peters
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – (2025) CO Election Official Tina Peters Got 9 Years for Tampering with Election Machines to Prove the Big Lie. Trump is Trying to Set Her Free.
American Democracy Minute – (2024) Colorado Election Official Who Allowed 2020 Conspiracy Theory Activists Access to County Voting Machine Data Found Guilty
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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