Shasta County, California’s top election official, Clint Curtis, has offered Tina Peters, a convicted former Mesa County, Colorado clerk, a consulting position to assist with the 2026 elections. This offer comes months after Peters' release from prison. Curtis initially stated his intention to hire Peters as an assistant registrar of voters but later clarified that the role would be a consultant position, citing the lengthy process for full-time employment and the immediate need for help with the upcoming midterm elections.
Peters has not yet accepted the offer, as she needs to consult her legal team regarding her parole conditions. A Colorado Department of Corrections official confirmed that Peters' parole requires her to be employed and reside in Colorado, though she can request a transfer with permission from both states and a formal review.
Curtis emphasized that as a consultant, Peters would not have local access to county email or election systems, distinguishing this from a staff position that would grant full network and system access. He described the consultant's role as overseeing others and ensuring correct procedures, rather than direct system operation. Despite this, Curtis also outlined an expansive role for Peters, involving oversight of the registrar's office and direction of his 12 full-time staff members.
When asked about his decision to hire Peters, Curtis cited her availability and her knowledge of elections. He did not contact Mesa County officials but was impressed by Peters' demeanor in their conversations, expressing confidence that he would maintain control of the county's elections.
Peters was convicted in 2024 of seven felony crimes related to the theft of voting machine software from Mesa County election facilities. These actions were part of an attempt to prove election fraud in the 2020 election. She served less than two years of her sentence, which was commuted by Colorado Governor Jared Polis in June. A statement from Peters' lawyer indicated her consideration of helping in Shasta County due to perceived irregularities in election handling, and her commitment to removing "invasive machines" from the election process.
Mesa County officials had previously testified about the negative impact of Peters' actions on the county's elections, finances, and reputation.
The California Secretary of State Shirley Weber's office stated that all county employees and contractors must comply with California law, security, and confidentiality requirements to maintain election integrity. Weber's office expressed strong disapproval of Peters' potential involvement, calling the idea of someone convicted of serious election-related crimes working in California elections "outrageous." The Secretary of State's office is monitoring the situation and will act within its authority to ensure transparent, safe, and fair elections.
Curtis, who was appointed county registrar in 2025, was recently censured by the Shasta County Board of Supervisors following investigations into allegations of verbal abuse and threatening language towards staff. He also made unsubstantiated claims about suspicious mail-in ballots in the 2024 election, describing differences in size, feel, and smell, but admitted he did not investigate these claims with the ballot manufacturer or confirm any instances of voter fraud. The Shasta County Board of Supervisors later dismissed Curtis' claims as frivolous and welcomed investigations by state and federal authorities, stating that while some progress had been made in transparency, Curtis had "failed significantly in other core responsibilities."
Curtis expressed frustration over potential delays in hiring Peters, emphasizing the immediate need for her assistance with early voting starting in approximately 30 days.
