Tina Peters Declines Election Oversight Role Amid Controversy

Tina Peters and Shasta County Job Offer

Tina Peters, previously convicted for tampering with voting machines, has turned down a job overseeing elections in Northern California’s Shasta County. Clint Curtis, the county’s registrar of voters, stated Peters is occupied with activities aimed at securing elections nationwide. Peters’ decision left Curtis disappointed.

Curtis’s Intentions and Reaction

Clint Curtis initially expressed plans to hire Tina Peters as a consultant to supervise the November election. Her refusal to accept the position was partly due to her busy schedule. Peters’ attorney, Peter Ticktin, mentioned that the role would not have been full-time. He also noted Peters’ stature, pointing out her past interactions with influential figures like the President.

Political Response

The news of hiring Peters stirred political debate in California. Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic legislators voiced strong disapproval, emphasizing concerns about her past convictions related to election tampering. Newsom’s social media posts were direct in rejecting Peters’ involvement, stating that felons who deny election results are unwelcome in the state.

Peters’ Legal Background

Peters was convicted in Colorado for breaching voting systems to support false claims of a rigged election against Trump. Her actions led to unauthorized access to Dominion election equipment by an associate of Mike Lindell, a notable MAGA conspiracy advocate.

Following advocacy from Trump, Colorado Governor Jared Polis commuted Peters’ sentence. She served only a small fraction of her nine-year sentence and was released in June.

Controversies in Shasta County Elections Office

Brent Turner, assistant registrar of Shasta County, expressed relief at Peters declining the offer. Curtis accused Turner of potentially vacating his position, though Turner did not step down, affirming that his position was secure.

Tensions peaked with Curtis leading actions seen as questionable by authorities and colleagues. Sealed ballots and unusual claims about ballot characteristics prompted external investigations, including requests for FBI inquiry.

Future of Shasta County Elections

Curtis’s tenure as registrar is set to end with his loss in the June primary to Joanna Francescut. The county’s election process has already undergone scrutiny amid Curtis’s controversial practices.