Challenges in the Life of Tina Peters (politician) in a Detailed Timeline
A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Tina Peters (politician)'s life and career.
Tina Peters is an American politician who served as Mesa County, Colorado Clerk from 2019 to 2023. She gained notoriety after the 2020 presidential election. Peters was accused and subsequently convicted on multiple charges, including felonies, related to unauthorized access to election equipment in an attempt to prove election fraud. These actions led to her temporary suspension as County Clerk. In August 2024, she was convicted in Colorado state court on seven charges and sentenced to nine years of incarceration. Despite a claimed pardon by President Donald Trump in December 2025, it would not affect her state convictions.
February 2020: Uncounted Ballots Discovered
In February 2020, employees in Tina Peters' office found an unemptied ballot box containing 574 ballots from the November 2019 election in a parking lot in front of the Mesa County election headquarters in Grand Junction. The ballots had remained uncounted for months, which was attributed to "human error".
August 2020: Recall Effort Fails
In August 2020, a voter recall attempt against Tina Peters failed due to approximately 1,200 signatures short of the 12,129 required to put the question on the ballot.
2020: Election Discrepancy Denial
Despite acknowledging there were no discrepancies in the 2020 election results for the county, Tina Peters met with individuals promoting the false claim that the election was illegitimate and allowed an unauthorized person to access and copy the hard drives of Mesa County's Dominion electronic voting machines in the months following the 2020 election.
2020: Sought to Prove Fraud in 2020 Presidential Election
In 2020, Tina Peters allegedly sought to prove that widespread fraud occurred in the state's presidential election.
2020: Election Integrity Concerns Raised in 2020 Election
Tina Peters raised election integrity concerns in the 2020 General Election.
May 2021: Surveillance Cameras Turned Off
In May 2021, Tina Peters ordered the surveillance cameras monitoring the voting machines in the clerk's office to be turned off, with plans to reactivate them before the next election in August 2021.
August 12, 2021: Voting Equipment Decertified
On August 12, 2021, Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold issued Election Order 2021-02 (EO-02), decertifying Mesa County's voting equipment, requiring replacement before the November election or a hand count of ballots. Griswold also announced that Tina Peters could no longer oversee the 2021 election.
August 2021: Election System Files Published
In August 2021, Ron Watkins, administrator of 8kun, published computer files linked to the Mesa County election system on a Telegram channel. These files included "forensic images of Mesa County's voting machines along with video of [a software] update and partially blurred passwords". The Gateway Pundit also published related passwords, video, and data.
August 2021: Reactivation of Surveillance Cameras
In May 2021, Tina Peters ordered the surveillance cameras monitoring the voting machines in the clerk's office to be turned off, with plans to reactivate them before the next election in August 2021.
August 16, 2021: Ethics Complaint Filed Against Peters for Accepting Gifts
On August 16, 2021, an ethics complaint was filed against Tina Peters for allegedly accepting plane rides and other gifts from Mike Lindell exceeding the state gift limit.
August 17, 2021: FBI Investigation
On August 17, 2021, the FBI, along with the Colorado Department of State and County Treasurer's offices, investigated the alleged Mesa County election equipment breach. Tina Peters was absent during the meeting with officials. Secretary of State Jena Griswold issued a third Election Order, 2021-03 (EO-03), stating that Peters was in hiding and non-compliant, allowing Mesa County Treasurer Sheila Reiner to assume control of the Mesa County elections as Election Supervisor.
August 19, 2021: Lindell's Safe House
On August 19, 2021, MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell told Vice News that Tina Peters was "holed up" in a safe house provided by him for her protection. The location was leaked by a member of Lindell's security team, and Peters was moved.
August 23, 2021: Deputy Clerk Suspended
On August 23, 2021, Mesa County Human Resources Director Brenda Moore suspended Deputy Clerk Belinda Knisley with pay, citing accusations of unprofessional behavior and a hostile work environment. Mesa County Elections Manager Sandra Brown was also suspended.
September 2021: Campaign Practice Violations
Between September 2021 and February 2022, Tina Peters committed violations of the Fair Campaign Practice Act while running for reelection for Mesa County Clerk and Recorder, prior to dropping out of that race.
September 17, 2021: Cyber Forensic Report
On September 17, 2021, Tina Peters presented the county commissioners with an 83-page report titled "Forensic Examination and Analysis" prepared by cyber forensic expert Doug Gould. The report included images of server hard drives and alleged file deletion or replacement. The report concluded that further investigation was required.
October 13, 2021: Peters Barred from Supervising Election
On October 13, 2021, Mesa County District Court Judge Valerie Robinson ruled that Tina Peters and Belinda Knisley allowed a breach in the county's election system and were barred from supervising the November election. Tina Peters said she would appeal.
November 8, 2021: Lawsuit Filed by Secretary of State
On November 8, 2021, the Colorado Secretary of State filed a lawsuit against Tina Peters concerning her fundraising activities and failure to report contributions and expenses for nearly three years.
November 16, 2021: Search Warrants Executed
On the evening of November 16, 2021, law enforcement authorities executed search warrants on the homes of Tina Peters, Sherronna Bishop, and two others as part of the criminal investigation. Peters claimed on TV that the agents had broken down the door of one residence with a battering ram, but they denied this. No arrests were made.
January 2022: Second Ethics Complaint Approved Against Peters
In January 2022, a second ethics complaint was approved and investigated Peters' elections fund.
February 7, 2022: Peters Video Records Court Proceedings, Charged with Contempt
On February 7, 2022, Tina Peters was observed video recording court proceedings on her iPad and was subsequently charged with contempt of court.
February 2022: Campaign Practice Violations
Between September 2021 and February 2022, Tina Peters committed violations of the Fair Campaign Practice Act while running for reelection for Mesa County Clerk and Recorder, prior to dropping out of that race.
March 9, 2022: Peters Indicted on 13 Counts
On March 9, 2022, Tina Peters was indicted on 13 counts, including attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy, official misconduct, violation of duty, obstruction, contempt of court, criminal impersonation, and identity theft, stemming from allegations related to the 2020 election.
April 2022: Lindell Discloses Donation to Peters' Legal Fund
In April 2022, Mike Lindell disclosed donating between $200,000 and $800,000 to Tina Peters' legal defense fund and campaign, potentially violating state gift limits.
May 17, 2022: Ethics Commission Finds Third Complaint Non-Frivolous
On May 17, 2022, the ethics commission found a third ethics complaint filed on May 9 non-frivolous, based on comments made by Mike Lindell at an "Election Truth Rally."
June 28, 2022: Primary Election Loss
On June 28, 2022, Tina Peters came in second out of three candidates in the Republican primary election for Colorado Secretary of State. She stated that she did not accept the results, suggesting election fraud.
July 11, 2022: Sandra Brown Arrested in Conspiracy Case
On July 11, 2022, County Elections Manager Sandra Brown turned herself in for arrest, named in an affidavit for conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation and attempt to influence a public servant and was later released on a personal recognizance bond.
July 2022: Arrest Warrant Issued for Peters Traveling Out of State
In July 2022, an arrest warrant was issued for Tina Peters after she traveled out of state without court permission. A second warrant was issued later that month because she emailed county clerk's offices about a recount, violating her bond conditions. She was arrested, posted bond, and released.
August 6, 2022: Peters' Suit Challenging Recount Methods Dismissed
On August 6, 2022, Tina Peters' suit challenging the methods used in the recount was dismissed.
August 7, 2022: Peters Pleads Not Guilty to Election Tampering Charges
On August 7, 2022, Tina Peters pled not guilty to all charges related to the alleged election machine tampering, and a trial was set for March 2023.
August 20, 2022: Peters Appears in "[S]election Code" Documentary
On August 20, 2022, Tina Peters and Sherronna Bishop appeared in the documentary "[S]election Code" released by Mike Lindell.
August 25, 2022: Knisley Pleads Guilty in Plea Deal
On August 25, 2022, Knisley pled guilty to three misdemeanor counts in a plea deal that required her to testify against Tina Peters and others.
November 30, 2022: Sandra Brown Pleads Guilty, Agrees to Testify Against Peters
On November 30, 2022, Sandra Brown pled guilty to attempting to influence a public servant and official misconduct as part of a plea agreement that required her to testify against Tina Peters.
March 2023: Peters Convicted of Obstruction, Sentenced to House Arrest
In March 2023, Tina Peters was convicted on a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of government operations and acquitted on the charge of obstructing a peace officer. She was sentenced to four months of house arrest, fined, and ordered to perform community service.
March 2023: Trial Set for March 2023
In March 2023, a trial was set for Tina Peters on charges related to election machine tampering.
May 5, 2023: Peters Held in Contempt of Court
On May 5, 2023, Tina Peters was held in contempt of court for lying about recording court proceedings and received a fine of $1,500.
September 6, 2023: Peters Pleads Not Guilty to Multiple Felony Counts
On September 6, 2023, Tina Peters pleaded not guilty to multiple felony counts including attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy, criminal impersonation, identity theft, official misconduct, violation of duty, and failing to comply with the secretary of state.
October 4, 2023: Fine for Campaign Violations
On October 4, 2023, the Colorado Office of Administrative Courts fined Tina Peters $15,400 for violating the Fair Campaign Practice Act for failing to register as a candidate and failing to file accurate campaign donation and expenditure reports.
November 13, 2023: Peters Files Lawsuit Against Government Officials
On November 13, 2023, Tina Peters filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court against government officials, alleging violation of her constitutional rights due to investigations and charges against her for raising election integrity concerns in the 2020 General Election.
February 9, 2024: Trial Date Set for February 9, 2024
Tina Peter's trial was pushed back to February 9, 2024.
February 2024: Trial Postponed Again Due to Attorney Change and COVID-19 Claim
In February 2024, Tina Peters' criminal case was postponed again after she fired her attorneys and claimed to have COVID-19. Michael Edminister took over the case, marking the fifth attorney of record and the fourth postponement.
August 2024: Conviction and Sentencing
In August 2024, Tina Peters was convicted in Colorado state court on seven charges, including four felonies, related to unauthorized access to election machines, and she was subsequently sentenced to nine years of incarceration.
August 2024: Peters Convicted on Seven of Ten Charges, Insists on Pursuing Allegations
In August 2024, Tina Peters was convicted on seven of ten charges related to a security breach to advance a false conspiracy theory of election fraud. After her conviction, she insisted on continuing to pursue her allegations on the Steve Bannon War Room podcast.
August 2024: Trial Delayed Until August 2024
Tina Peters' trial was delayed until August 2024.
October 2024: Peters Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison
In October 2024, Tina Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison and taken into custody after being convicted on multiple charges related to election tampering. The courthouse increased security after receiving threats.
October 2024: Peters Taken Into Custody
In October 2024, Tina Peters was taken into custody. Prior to this, she resided in Grand Junction, Colorado.
2024: Conviction and Imprisonment
In 2024, Tina Peters was convicted in Colorado's 21st judicial district on felony charges relating to unauthorized access of electronic voting machines, sentenced to nine years in prison, fined thousands of dollars, and taken into custody immediately.
February 7, 2025: Peters Files Habeas Corpus Petition
On February 7, 2025, Tina Peters filed a federal habeas corpus petition seeking release on bond pending the appeal decision.
May 2025: Trump Directs DOJ to Secure Peters' Release
In May 2025, President Donald Trump directed the U.S. Department of Justice to take actions to secure Tina Peters' release.
August 2025: Trump Issues Warning on Social Media
In August 2025, Donald Trump issued a social media statement warning that "harsh measures" would be imposed on Colorado if Tina Peters was not released.
December 8, 2025: Peters' Petition for Release Denied
On December 8, 2025, Tina Peters' petition for release pending appeal was denied.
January 2026: Peters Allegedly Attacked in Jail
In January 2026, a representative for Tina Peters claimed that she was attacked by another inmate in jail. Surveillance footage indicated Peters appeared to wrap her hands around the other inmate's neck. However, the Colorado Department of Corrections stated no one was injured and Peters was moved to a different housing area.
March 2026: Polis Considers Commuting Peters' Sentence
In March 2026, Governor Polis suggested that Tina Peters' sentence was overly severe for a first-time offender, amid pressure from Trump to commute the sentence. Democrats in Congress expressed concern that clemency for Peters would validate Trump's false claims of election fraud.
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