Concerns Over Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters and Election Integrity

With Primary Elections approaching, many Mesa County voters are understandably concerned about whether their ballots will be counted fairly. Since Tina Peters took office as Mesa County Clerk and Recorder, repeated errors and controversies have shaken public trust in our elections.

State Oversight Brings Needed Accountability

We support the Colorado Secretary of State’s decision to step in, monitor the office, and appoint election managers to ensure the process is conducted correctly.

We are proud to share that Patti Inscho, our current treasurer, has been selected as an Elections Office Manager following the Secretary of State’s visit. Patti’s many years of election experience give us confidence that she will help safeguard a smooth and fair elections process in Mesa County.

Ongoing Concerns with Clerk Tina Peters

Despite these steps, Clerk Tina Peters has created serious doubts about election integrity in Mesa County:

• In April 2019, ineligible voters received voting blue books, while eligible voters were left without critical ballot information.

• Ballot language was incorrect and confusing, misrepresenting multiple issues.

• Most troubling, 574 votes were never counted in the 2019 election.

Instead of addressing these failures, Peters has dismissed the uncounted votes as insignificant because they “did not change the election outcome.” This attitude undermines public confidence and tells voters their voices do not matter.

Every Vote Matters

The 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment was meant to celebrate the expansion of voting rights in America. Instead, Mesa County voters were told their ballots were “irrelevant.”

• First-time voters in 2019 may never return to the polls after seeing their votes disregarded.

• Residents feel their voices were silenced by human error and neglect.

• Voters deserve transparency, accountability, and assurance that every ballot will be counted.

As one resident expressed:

“Our votes are not irrelevant because they had no effect on the election outcome. Every vote and every voice gives insight into Mesa County and what we care about. The people of Mesa County deserve a voice.”

Mesa County Democrats’ Commitment

We remain committed to:

• Holding Clerk Tina Peters accountable for election mishaps.

• Supporting oversight and reforms that rebuild trust in local elections.

• Ensuring that every Mesa County voter has confidence that their ballot counts.

Mesa County residents deserve an election system that is fair, transparent, and accurate. We will continue working to make sure that happens.