Mexican-American Kansas Mayor Accused of Voting as a Non-Citizen
Joe Ceballos, the Mexican-American mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, faces accusations of voting in multiple elections without US citizenship. Ceballos, a legal permanent resident originally from Mexico, allegedly voted in elections between 2022 and 2024.
Background and Role
Ceballos, 54, was first elected mayor in 2021 in the small rural town of Coldwater, which has fewer than 700 residents and is located approximately 325 miles southwest of Kansas City near the Oklahoma border. Before becoming mayor, he served on the city council.
Re-Election Amid Charges
Despite the allegations, Ceballos was re-elected on Tuesday, the same day criminal charges were filed against him. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Attorney General Kris Kobach announced six felony charges in Comanche County.
Details of Charges
- Three counts of voting without being qualified
- Three counts of election perjury
These charges carry a potential punishment of up to 68 months in prison and fines reaching $200,000.
Ceballos is scheduled to appear in court on December 3.
Official Statements
"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
"Joe Ceballos, the mayor of Coldwater, assumed the role in 2021 and was re-elected to the position on Tuesday." – Report from the press conference by Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Attorney General Kris Kobach
Summary
The mayor of Coldwater, a legal permanent resident, faces multiple felony charges for voting illegally, highlighting ongoing concerns about non-citizen voting in the US.