California senators call for ‘maximum oversight’ over conspiracist Tina Peters’ new election job

Key Points:

• California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff expressed "grave concern" over Shasta County's plan to hire convicted election denier Tina Peters as an assistant in the county's elections office ahead of the November midterms.
• Peters, convicted for her role in a 2021 voting system breach in Colorado, would gain influence over critical election processes, raising worries about potential election interference and violations of state and federal law.
• The senators urged California Secretary of State Shirley Weber to provide maximum oversight if Peters is hired, citing risks to voter rights, privacy, and potential financial burdens on taxpayers.
• Shasta Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis defended the hiring by stating Peters would help ensure federal agencies can access ballots, a claim challenged by Padilla and Schiff as potentially illegal.
• Peters, recently released from prison after her sentence was commuted, has been spreading election conspiracy theories nationwide and has not ruled out accepting the job, which could lead to her succeeding Curtis if he resigns.