Kansas mayor Joe Ceballos hit with criminal charges for allegedly voting as noncitizen in several elections

Kansas leaders have taken legal action against Joe Ceballos, the mayor of Coldwater, a small city in rural Kansas, accusing him of voting in multiple elections despite not being a US citizen. It was revealed that Ceballos, a lawful permanent resident from Mexico, cast votes in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 elections, leading to the filing of six charges against him in Comanche County.

The charges brought against Ceballos, including perjury and voting without being qualified, carry a maximum penalty of more than five years in prison. Ceballos, who also served as a city councilman, did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, both Republicans, emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate voter registration lists to prevent noncitizens from participating in elections. Kobach, a staunch advocate for stricter immigration enforcement and voter ID laws, highlighted the prevalence of noncitizen voting as a significant issue that needs to be addressed.

While Kobach did not disclose the specifics of how they uncovered Ceballos’ status as a noncitizen, he mentioned that investigators had solid evidence against him. It was noted that city officials, including mayors, are required by law to be US citizens, although it is not considered a criminal offense.

Moreover, Kobach and Schwab revealed that they have started utilizing a federal government database to cross-check voter rolls with immigration records, aiming to identify more instances of voting violations. They expressed their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral system and ensuring that only eligible individuals participate in elections.

Ceballos is scheduled to appear in court on December 3 to address the charges brought against him. The case against him underscores the importance of upholding the trust and integrity of the electoral process by holding individuals accountable for any violations. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains critical for authorities to continue monitoring and safeguarding the electoral system from potential fraudulent activities.