Tina Peters, a convicted MAGA supporter who served prison time for tampering with voting machines, has declined a job offer to assist with election oversight in Shasta County, California. The offer had drawn significant criticism from state officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom.
Clint Curtis, the Shasta County registrar of voters, stated that Peters declined the position because she is actively involved in election advocacy across the country. Curtis, who himself has expressed doubts about election integrity, had planned to hire Peters as a consultant to help supervise the upcoming November election.
Peters' attorney, Peter Ticktin, confirmed that she had seriously considered the offer but ultimately decided against it due to her extensive commitments. He described her as an "American icon" who is too busy with national election efforts to be tied to a single county's operations.
The prospect of Peters working in election administration in California prompted swift opposition from Governor Newsom and other Democratic lawmakers. Newsom publicly expressed his disapproval, stating, "ELECTION DENIER FELONS NOT WELCOME HERE!!!" His office also indicated that the Governor had directed corrections officials to explore all avenues to prevent Peters' parole supervision from being transferred to California.
Peters, formerly the clerk in Mesa County, Colorado, was convicted in 2024 for her role in a scheme to demonstrate that the 2020 election was rigged. She was found guilty of facilitating unauthorized access to Dominion voting equipment and copying its hard drive. Her nine-year sentence was commuted by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, leading to her early release in June.
Curtis, who is set to leave office in January after losing the primary election, has faced scrutiny for his own actions, including his handling of primary ballots and his public statements. Despite the controversy surrounding his appointment and his tenure, Curtis expressed amusement at Governor Newsom's focus on Peters' conviction, contrasting it with Newsom's stated support for criminal rehabilitation.
