Mexican-American Kansas Mayor Accused of Voting as a Non-Citizen
Joe Ceballos, the Mexican-American mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, is accused of voting in multiple elections without US citizenship. Ceballos, a legal permanent resident originally from Mexico, allegedly voted in elections from 2022 to 2024.
Background
Ceballos, 54, was first elected mayor in 2021 of Coldwater, a small town with under 700 residents located about 325 miles southwest of Kansas City near the Oklahoma border. Before becoming mayor, he served on Coldwater’s city council.
Recent Developments
Ceballos was re-elected on Tuesday to continue leading the city, coinciding with the announcement of criminal charges filed against him. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Attorney General Kris Kobach revealed six felony charges in Comanche County.
- Three counts of voting without being qualified
- Three counts of election perjury
The charges could result in up to 68 months in prison and fines reaching $200,000. Ceballos is scheduled to appear in court on December 3.
"Non-citizen voting is a real problem. It is not something that happens once in a decade. It is something that happens fairly frequently." — Attorney General Kris Kobach
Authorities' Statement
Scott Schwab and Kris Kobach held a press conference Wednesday to announce the charges.
"Joe Ceballos, the mayor of Coldwater, assumed the role in 2021 and was re-elected to the position on Tuesday." — Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab
Summary
This case highlights concerns about voting eligibility and enforcement in local elections, underscoring ongoing challenges with non-citizen voting in the United States.