Gov. Polis: Do not commute Tina Peters sentence for the sake of the integrity of future elections

Gov. Polis: Do not fall for Trump's pressure tactics. Do not commute Tina Peters' sentence or reduce it. It would harm the integrity of future elections. The process by which the state convicted her is not in question, nor is that the biggest issue. Trump et al. think the sentence was too harsh, given that Peters was a sworn supporter of him and obeyed what he had asked clerks to do nationwide instead of their oath to uphold election laws. Election integrity rules must be taken seriously. When clerks break rules and allow an outside partisan to have the code to the electronic system, as Peters did, that is not a trivial matter.  It is a serious one and deserves upholding the laws and rules for the purpose of preventing future partisan-tempted election officials from doing likewise.

To review what Peters did that got her 9 years, go to https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/tina-peters-lawyers-try-to-convince-colorado-court-to-overturn-conviction-for-voting-system-breach

President Trump has repeatedly threatened Colorado with "harsh measures"  demanding the immediate release of Tina Peters. Trump claims Peters is a "political prisoner," prompting actions like targeting state funding, affecting NCAR in Boulder,  SNAP benefits, and relocating Space Command. He keeps opposing mail in ballots, targeting Colorado as one of his threats concerning Peters.

All ballots cast in Colorado are manually voted on paper, whether by mail or in person at a polling place.

https://www.cpr.org/2024/10/08/vg-2024-how-your-vote-gets-counted-in-colorado/

Trump is trying to suppress the vote by his self-serving campaign against mail-in ballots, a system Colorado uses that is one of the most secure in the world, so long as those administering it are kept in line by laws we observe and respect.  Mail-in and poll cast ballots filled out manually by the voter and cast on paper are the backup system if a partisan county clerk like Tina Peters succeeds in damaging the integrity of the vote and the vote count.   Votes that are cast on paper ballots, whether by mail or in person, are easily audited, verified, and easily recounted.. The problem is in securing them. 

President Trump has repeatedly threatened Colorado with "harsh measures"  demanding the immediate release of Tina Peters, Trump claims Peters is a "political prisoner," prompting actions like targeting state funding, affecting NCAR in Boulder,  SNAP benefits,and relocating Space Command. 

. Paper ballots if kept secure per law and regs, are the way to find whether tinkering has taken place and a double check in a recount. When that system is in the hands of election-denying officials or loyal partisans or owned by them, do not trust AND verify.

Our prior tabulation of mail-in ballots and those cast on election day used by our county was Dominion, and MAGA lost in their attempt to claim they were one of the reasons Trump lost in 2020. MAGA solved that issue by having a Trump partisan buy out Dominion. Our county has now contracted with another system.

We are no longer a nation that is a political 50-50 split; it is now 60-40 to 58-42 split: advantage Democrats

Common wisdom used to be this was a 50 /50 split in the American voters' opinion polls:..half for the GOP and half for Democrats.  That has shifted to about  58 percent to 60% for Democrats and 42 to 40 percent split in approval for the GOP. This is evident even in the 2025 data,study and it does not reflect the recent shift in Hispanic, independent, and young people's votes away from the GOP and MAGA. Today's polls may reflect the shift.  https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/03/19/donald-trump-approval-rating/89177997007/

https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/54341-worsening-economic-outlook-donald-trump-iran-voting-march-13-16-2026-economist-yougov-poll

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZTtTtR21YM   recent ABC/Washington Post poll

This is a macro view, but it does not apply to every voting district..

 As the GOP loses ground. how much does the loyalty to the MAGA viewpoint play in the GOP. I would have thought it would have been higher than 50%, but that was the finding in a study. https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2025/02/24/majority-of-republicans-nationally-identify-as-maga-for-first-time-in-unity-poll.   The allegiance to MAGA is growing.  Nonetheless, the swing vote within the GOP is still large enough to make any rift significant.,  That does not mean it automatically translates into political power loss.  

 Support for one or the other side of this voter poll split is also specific to location and the number of Congressional districts, states, or electoral college votes, voting districts that have a record, demographic, and dominance of one side of the divide or another. What it does show is that whatever is considered a swing or near swing district will still determine outcome in both November 2026 midterms and in the 2028 presidential race..  The rest of the voting districts are set in concrete. The electoral college laws are also responsible for this imbalance, which has resulted in nearly every presidential election showing a larger popular vote for Democrats than the winning GOP candidate. The advantage favors the GOP, and Democrats must outperform them with the popular vote. Not every voter who contributed to the 60% non Trump vote wlll vote for Democrats. They could opt to stay at home on election day.

Three factors may influence the remainder of the year. GOP/Trump policies that threaten previous Hispanic voters with ICE cruelty, the struggles of young people saddled with student debt, and AI as an entry-level job opportunity killer. The other is voter suppression of perceived opponent groups:, ICE agents at polling places, and making it difficult for those who are large numbers unfriendly to the GOP, particularly women, such as the SAVE act attempts to do.  Disillusionment by independents and non-MAGA with Trump's promises and failures to make good on them is a third.  This one may be growing thanks to his damage to affordability and entanglement in foreign wars, such as Iran.

The SAVE Act is now being debated in the Senate and is predicted to go down in defeat, even if Trump vetoes the version that survives and needs a 60-vote count to override his veto. Senators, even in some safe states, are not sure who will be hurt more: women or their own, poorer, undereducated rural  White voter base.

The current version of the SAVE proposal makes it hard for those they see as their opponents to vote, but it has a serious backfire in it that makes even GOP Senators uneasy unless they come from ruby red states. The SAVE Act places a burden on women that most men do not have. It requires many women to jump through additional hoops in order to be able to vote. Married or divorced women have to tie their accepted picture ID to their birth certificate to make name changes via marriage or other situations. This will certainly hurt Democrats, but that also will hurt the MAGA base, which is mostly rural, poor, White,  working class, and with low education levels, because they too have to cough up money to get the right photo ID and the accepted documentation of their birth and make it through those administrative hurdles. Elderly in both parties will be hurt, but less in blue higher-income states because they are more likely to have a US passport, which is accepted proof of citizenship/and name conformity. Elderly voters usually trend heavily toward the GOP.  Because of the cost involved in getting a certified birth certificate, passports, or a conforming ID, this can be seen as an unconstitutional poll tax, but that will have to play out in the courts.

Why pick on the women voters anyway?

Today, a 56% majority of women identify as Democrats or lean Democratic, while 37% affiliate with or lean toward the GOP. up 4 percentage points since 2015 and is at one of its highest points since 1992. Among men, there has been less recent change: 48% of men identify with the GOP, and 44% are Democrats or lean Democratic, a long-standing divide. Both gender and educational gaps are expanding.  https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2018/03/20/wide-gender-gap-growing-educational-divide-in-voters-party-identification/

Trump's war on press freedom as it consolidates media control of news broadcasting and Stars and Stripes

Two very disturbing stories today from the Trump administration that contain threats to freedom of the press:. One, the FCC chair threatens to yank broadcast licenses from outlets that do not report favorably about Trump on Iran, and the other is from the Pentagon, which is cracking down on the independent military publication, Stars and Stripes, by denying reporters' access because it is "too woke".  Both of these are attempts by a wannabe dictatorship to control minds and the information the public can access to formulate their own opinions.  It is another sign of a dictatorship consolidating power by mind and information control. 

 Imagine if all the news the public gets is the spin that only reports favorable news to the regime. That is precisely how dictators in our modern era seize and stay in control. The prime example is Viktor Orbán of Hungary, who slowly suppressed the press and put control of the media in the hands of cronies, through denial of licensing and with buyouts.  Imagine if every news outlet sounded like FOX.  The administration is well on its way toward that goal, with its control over CBS News and now a buyout that will destroy CNN's independence.  The intent of the Trump regime is to defang CNN as the secretary of "war" just said: Pentagon chief says he's eager for Trump ally to buy CNN as he blasts war coverage | Reuters

FCC chair threatens to revoke broadcasters' licenses amid Trump comments on Iran coverage

Pentagon tightens controls over Stars and Stripes after calling it “woke” : NPR

The politics behind the $8B Paramount-Skydance merger | PBS News

Controversial '60 Minutes' segment on Trump immigration policy leaks online | PBS News

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: Iran: Hegseth's holy war?

 

SAVE us from the SAVE act

 SAVE us from SAVE: The radical piece of legislation before the Senate would have at least three particularly obnoxious provisions designed to keep certain groups of people from voting, or would require extraordinary efforts and money to prove citizenship. Particularly harmed by the requirement to provide citizenship would be married women, the poor, and seniors who do not have passports or cannot find or get certified copies of birth certificates, divorce, and name change papers so they match driver's licenses with a photo. ID.. It would expose personal data now held by separate states to partisan centralized federal officials, for suppression targeting methods and dirty tricks,

he motivation for this piece of legislation is not to enhance vote integrity but to give the advantage to the GOP in the midterms. Trump has admitted that. https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/03/09/congress/trump-save-america-act-gop-00819673.

Their whole premise is built on a lie that illegals voted and caused Trump to lose in 2020, for which no evidence has ever been found. https://www.cato.org/commentary/rights-bogus-claims-about-noncitizen-voting-fraud#:~:text=If%20you%20believe%20Elon%20Musk%2C,5%2C%20%E2%80%9Cthey%20are%20importing%20votertrutrum;ians.

Another excuse Trump likes to make for his loss in 2020 was that there was extensive fraud in mail-in ballots. Therefore,  his answer: only ballots received by election day should be counted...cutting out most active miliary votes or subject to the whims of the postal delivery service. Some states would have to change their already existing rules and laws to conform.  In fact, a study taken exposes Trump's claim as BS and I cannot find any evidence to the contrary.  https://www.brookings.edu/articles/mail-voting-in-the-us-data-points-to-very-low-fraud-and-significant-benefits-to-voters/

More on the SAVE attack on voters' ability to vote:

1) It would keep married women from voting if their ID does not match their birth certificate names or even passport names. (estimated 50percent of voters do not have passports). What does your driver's license have as your photo ID name? Divorce papers would also have to be produced, or legal documentation of name changes would have to be provided.

2) All of your personal information, driver's licenses, social security numbers, and personal data held by State officials would have to be handed over to the Department of Homeland Security as they search first for registered illegals, turn out ICE to "protect" their own voting interests at polling places,, and God knows whatelse it could be used for if say a dictator who may not be one you supports takes over now or in the future.

3) This federalization enables big brother government to manipulate elections to suit the outcome they want by giving them the tools to identify targeting groups or kinds of legal voters that may not support them by voting roll purges and other strategies. The beauty of the current state control of such information is that 50 states can control their data instead of one federal government, in the hands of a party or single strong leader, being able to affect the outcome and votes in elections.

.

The premise used to rationalize this legislation is stopping illegals from voting, a line MAGA has swallowed whole without any thought or care about evidence. For over 6 years, proof of the"steal" of the 2020 vote has been investigated, rejected by courts and hearings, and never proved. It is still just a theory to excuse a loss or a suspicion. Never mind, keeping certain voters from voting is a political strategy that MAGA embraces because they see a political advantage for them in the midterms. Heads up MAGA. You may not always be in control of the Oval Office, Congress, or the judiciary. What happens if the shoe is on the other foot, and the people you consider to be political enemies are now in power?

https://mufticforumblog.blogspot.com/2026/03/the-key-to-protecting-fair-and-free.html

The key to protecting fair and free elections. What works.

 We all have our political priorities, and mine is fundamental. As a former election official myself, number one on my list is the preservation of free and fair elections, and Donald Trump is enemy number one with an attempt to "federalize elections" and to keep his enemies from voting by putting up all kinds of barriers. Those include banning mail-in balloting and "show me your papers" citizenship requirements. Not everyone can afford a passport or can produce a birth certificate, given the cost, ability, and time required. We do not have a national ID card. This is a movement Trump is promoting nationwide, and it is all based on the premise that the reason he lost the election is that illegals voted. FYI. There has never been any proof produced of the extent of such fraud that would change any outcome, and there is a trail of court cases wth judges that came to the same conclusion. Trump has fooled his faithful followers into willfully believing him. Now, using the same pretext, Trump is attempting to grab election registration details from states, such as Georgia and now Arizona, in an attempt to find a shred of evidence or, worse, to justify an attempt to selectively disqualify voters whom he objects. He is currently engaged in getting "election deniers" in every critical election official position he can so he can perpetuate his deception of the "steal" and control outcomes.

Trump's claim that widespread fraud in mail-in balloting so it needs to be curtailed is also based on BS. There is evidence that there is so little fraud that election resiults were not impacted.. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/mail-voting-in-the-us-data-points-to-very-low-fraud-and-significant-benefits-to-voters/

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: How Trump plans to subvert the midterms: it is no secret

Trump says he won't sign any bills until SAVE America Act passes

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: Trump wants to GOP nationalize elections and control the vote count: that's what dictators do

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: SAVE us from the SAVE act

In Colorado, where mail-in voting is the overwhelmingly popular method of voting even when polling places are available, we are a testament to how well mail-in voting works in modern tech society. With computerization, illegal voting is virtually nonexistent because it is possible to cross-check various databases to determine eligibility for registration, as well as being a legitimate voter. There are two critical positions in Colorado government firmly supported and ably protected that keep our voting systems fair and free: the Secretary of State and the Attorney General. Both are ably and dedicated and deserve our recognition for their work: Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Attorney General Phil Weiser. It is key that whoever fills those positions is the most knowledgeable, experienced, and able to continue their priorities with the same knowledge, technical ability, and dedication.

Iran: Hegseth's holy war?

 Is the US being led into Iran war by a religious radical who sees this as a holy war?  In a scary vein is Pete Hegseth head of the Department of "War".  His view of Christianity is of the crusades and he sees life in terms of this. If he sees Iran as a holy war, we should be more than concerned.. Rationality is out the window.

 It's Pete Hegseth's theology that ought to concern us – Baptist News Global

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/03/us-israel-iran-war-christian-rhetoric

From the Guardian: "US military commanders have been invoking extremist Christian rhetoric about biblical “end times” to justify involvement in the Iran war, to troops.....The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) says it has received more than 200 complaints from service members across all branches of the armed forces."

https://mufticforumblog.blogspot.com/2026/02/white-christian-nationalism-has-taken.htmlWhat 

to know about the archconservative church Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends | PBS News

Chasing the story, CNN: Analysis: Pete Hegseth wanted an ‘American Crusade.’ Now he’s leading a war in the Middle East |

Update: 3/17/2026

 CNN Politicshttps://www.cnn.com/2026/03/17/politics/joe-kent-resigns-iran-war

Do two lies work? Why not, DJT? I am listening to Trump claiming Iran was an imminent nuclear threat to the US. No one I can find other than perhaps Israel or the Saudis, thinks so. But he can use the lie to make another lie and pull out with mission accomplished. The lie he can use, we wiped out their navy, their army, their air force, no radar, no anti-aircraft, their nuclear sites..(and we keep killing their head guys. That is what regime change means????). Is that what he is trying to claim.. If true...then quit. The imminent threat is ended. Right?.. But whatever lies he makes to end this war he started with a lie are tools he can use..Lies are his stock in trade and his loyal MAGA will just say Amen.

Timing is everything: when his own base splits over isolation and affordability so much he looks weak,, then watch him declare victory, and quit. Then...if Iran keeps Hormuz closed and keeps lobbing drones at the Arab gulf states, what then?

Trump is not even a good checkers player...he only understands one move at a time, and ignores his opponents' future retaliatory moves.. Even two-dimensional checkers are beyond him.

James Talarico's victory in the Texas primary may signal the rising of moral outrage

Talarico speaks the language of many Texans, which may puzzle those not from the South, as I see the media dominated and housed on the East Coast try to explain why he won. For those who were raised inthe "bible belt" or came of age in the evangelical Christian movements that dominate the culture of the South, it is not hard to understand. (I am a native of Eastern Oklahoma) 

Talarico speaks their language, a language that comes naturally to him as the grandson of a Baptist preacher and now a Presbyterian pastor/seminarian. He cites the words of Jesus freely: to love God with all his heart and love his neighbors as he would love himself. He shares much with the theology of Pope Leo.   He also puts his economic populist message into theological references, caring for the least of these or Jesus overturning the money changers' tables in the Temple.

 Talarico is the antidote to a political movement based on fear and loathing of neighbors who are not like them, in race, sometimes in religion, and in culture,  and/or who worship wealth as the sign of success as persons.  He simply quietly incorporates his political beliefs without raising his voice or delivering a proselytizing, fiery sermon. In subtle ways, he preaches without being preachy. 

 Democrats can hope there are enough in Texas in the general election in November who are troubled by the immorality of the president and his staff and administrators seeking more political power by inhumane treatment of anyone brown speaking Spanish, snatched and warehoused until they can prove their legality, in an attempt to purge this country of as many brown people as they can. They have convinced so many who claim to be Christian by the righteousness of racial hatred that I wonder how many are left in the South who are uncomfortable with that approach and are indeed swayed by a view of Christianity of Talarico's that is the polar opposite of the tone of others in the White House.

This may also show a meeting of minds of both Christians and northern liberals when morality and human rights, and economic populism, find common cause. It is where disgust with the immorality of  Epstein and his clients and affordability meet in a common purpose.

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: White Christian Nationalism has taken over the White House

From last July, MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: Messaging again: a new messenger who speaks to many in red states: James Talarico

MUFTIC FORUM BLOG: Moral indignation rises as a major imperative of anti-ICE protests

In 25-Country Survey, Americans Especially Likely To View Fellow Citizens as Morally Bad | Pew Research Center

An interesting poll:

David Brooks posed the question and gave a thoughtful answer in the Atlantic. He did it without mentioning the role of organized religion, diminished but still strong in mostly the South. Religion used to set the standards for what was moral or not.  Religion has become a powerful political tool, particularly for the political right. However, Talarico has turned that on its head by showing that Christianity is in harmony with the political left. Texas may be a special case where Hispanics are a very large population; social liberals but religious conservatives, and Pope Leo and Talarico have been on the same page on ICE issues. It may still resonate in other southern states, even those without large Hispanic minorities. Stay tuned.

Why Do So Many People Think Trump Is Good? - The Atlantic