California Senators Demand Oversight as Shasta County Weighs Hiring Convicted Election Denier Tina Peters

Key points

• Senators Padilla and Schiff sent a letter to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber expressing grave concern over Shasta County’s plan to hire Tina Peters as an assistant registrar of voters.
• Peters, a former Colorado clerk convicted in 2024 for breaching election systems, was released from prison in June 2026 after Governor Jared Polis commuted her nine-year sentence.
• Shasta County Clerk Clint Curtis stated he intends to hire Peters on a contract basis to replace an assistant on medical leave, citing her experience and connections to the president.
• The senators warned that Peters’ presence could violate state and federal laws regarding ballot access and requested maximum oversight to protect the rights of over 100,000 registered voters in the county.
• Peters’ attorney, Peter Ticktin, confirmed she is considering the offer but stated that no final decision has been made, while the California governor’s office confirmed the state is investigating the hiring plan.

Background

This controversy follows Peters’ release from prison in June 2026, which occurred after Colorado Governor Jared Polis commuted her sentence following pressure from President Donald Trump. Prior to her release, Peters was convicted on seven counts related to a 2021 breach of Mesa County’s election equipment, where she allegedly allowed unauthorized access to voting machines to promote false claims of election fraud. Recent background indicates that Peters has been traveling the country spreading conspiracy theories, and her attorney, Peter Ticktin, has previously urged federal intervention in midterms. Additionally, Shasta County has faced internal turmoil, including the censure of Clerk Clint Curtis for misconduct and a state lawsuit over local ballot measures.

How outlets are covering it

Outlets differ in their emphasis on the certainty and nature of the hiring. KRCR and Denver7 report that Curtis intends to hire Peters on a contract basis to fill a vacancy, highlighting his justification that the county’s slow hiring process necessitates this approach. The New York Times notes that the job offer’s reality is unclear, pointing out that the position was already occupied and that Curtis’s tenure is ending in January. Democracy Docket focuses on the political backlash, detailing the senators’ letter to the Secretary of State and their argument that the hiring is driven by presidential interference rather than qualifications. All sources agree that Peters has not yet accepted the offer and that the state is investigating the matter.

Why it matters

The potential hiring of a convicted election denier in a key midterm county raises significant concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. If Peters gains access to ballots or voting systems, it could lead to legal violations and undermine public trust in the November elections. The situation also highlights ongoing tensions between federal and state authorities regarding election security and the influence of political figures on local administrative decisions. Furthermore, the controversy may impact voter confidence in Shasta County, a region with over 100,000 registered voters, as the state and federal levels of government monitor the situation closely.

What to watch

The next steps involve the California Secretary of State’s office determining the level of oversight to impose on Shasta County if Peters is hired. Peters must decide whether to accept the offer, which is complicated by her parole restrictions that may limit her ability to travel or change residence. The state’s investigation will likely determine whether the hiring violates any legal restrictions on Peters’ employment. Additionally, the Shasta County board of supervisors may need to address the hiring process, especially given recent censure of Clerk Curtis. The outcome will be closely watched as the November midterms approach, with potential implications for ballot security and public trust in the election process.