Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet released the following statement after former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters was released today:
“Tina Peters remains a convicted felon who knowingly violated Colorado law and compromised election security. A Colorado jury found her guilty of four felonies for breaching secure election systems.
“Tina Peters’ release does not change the facts of her case, nor does it change our obligation to defend our democracy. At a time when President Trump continues to attack vote-by-mail, undermine confidence in our elections, and pressure public officials to bend to his political agenda, we must be even more vigilant in protecting the rule of law and the integrity of our electoral system.
“Colorado’s gold standard elections are among the most secure, accessible, and trusted in the nation in part because election workers, county clerks, and public servants follow the law. A jury convicted Tina Peters. An appeals court upheld those convictions. Coloradans should not be forced to subsidize anyone, especially Peters, who knowingly violated election security laws and betrayed the public trust. I will keep fighting to protect our democracy and stop this taxpayer-funded slush fund before a single dollar is paid out.”
Bennet has led efforts in the Senate to stop the Trump Administration’s proposed “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which would create a taxpayer-funded slush fund with limited transparency and oversight. He has also fought to protect Colorado’s vote-by-mail system and opposed federal actions that would make it harder for eligible Americans to cast a ballot. Among that work, Bennet is:
- Preparing an amendment to prohibit the Trump Administration from using the so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund to compensate individuals convicted of crimes related to election interference or violations of election security laws;
- Demanding a bipartisan investigation into the Trump Administration’s interference with independent tax enforcement and the creation of the Anti-Weaponization Fund;
- Condemning the U.S. Postal Service’s proposed rule implementing President Trump’s executive order targeting mail-in voting, warning it could disenfranchise eligible voters and undermine Colorado’s successful vote-by-mail system; and
- Continuing the work to protect election security, defend local election officials, and ensure every eligible American can safely and securely cast a ballot.
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