Kansas Mayor Accused of Illegal Voting
A mayor in Kansas, who has spent most of his life in the state but isn’t a U.S. citizen, faces allegations of voting unlawfully on several occasions. Documents that surfaced support these serious claims.
Recently, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced that Coldwater Mayor Jose “Joe” Ceballos, aged 54, has been charged with three counts each of ineligible voting and election perjury, both of which are felonies. If found guilty, he could face over five years in prison. Moreover, Tricia McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security mentioned that a conviction would also initiate a removal process for Ceballos.
Interestingly, Ceballos has appeared on the ballot at least once every year or every other year since August 1, 2000. “Voting while not being a U.S. citizen is illegal in Kansas. We assert that Mr. Ceballos voted multiple times,” Kobach stated.
Records related to voter registration and voting history that were released in response to a public records request back Kobach’s allegations.
Ceballos’ two voter registration forms, dated April 1999 and December 2012, show he claimed Kansas residency starting in 1986. Both applications sought confirmation of U.S. citizenship. The 1999 form includes the wording, “I swear or affirm that I am a citizen of the United States.” Meanwhile, the 2012 application shows a checkmark next to “Are you a citizen of the United States?”, along with a similar assertion regarding his citizenship and residency in Kansas.
Curiously, he signed the 1999 version as “Joe” Ceballos and the 2012 one as Jose, and he didn’t affiliate with any political party on either application.
The formal complaint, filed on November 5, asserts that Ceballos is not a U.S. citizen. Notably, the Department of Homeland Security highlighted that while he obtained a green card in 1990, he still retains his Mexican citizenship. Additionally, it was found that he was previously convicted of assault in 1995.
His voting records indicate he took part in many elections since 2000, with documentation showing he voted at least once a year since the year 2000. Although it’s unclear why he was recorded as a Republican in the general elections of November 2004 and 2024.
The allegations regarding Ceballos voting emerged following his re-election as mayor on November 4; City Attorney Skip Heard revealed that Ceballos had only applied for U.S. citizenship earlier this year.
In an interview, Ceballos noted that he immigrated to the United States as a young child and regarded himself as an “illegal alien” at the time. He claimed he had voted in every local, state, and federal election since 1991, attributing his actions to a misunderstanding of the law due to his belief that “permanent resident” status made him a citizen.
“I haven’t seen Mexico since I was four years old,” he expressed. “I can’t speak Spanish anymore. If I get deported, my life will be ruined.” His lawyer emphasized that Ceballos did not intend to vote illegally and remains confident in his case.
Records from the Comanche County Clerk’s Office indicate that Ceballos’ voter registration was nullified on October 17, 2025. Moreover, documentation reveals he had been registered to vote in federal elections since at least February 2003, at one point registering as a Republican, and requesting an address change in 2013.
Ceballos did, however, express slight political awareness, mentioning that he “probably” voted for Kobach for governor and Trump for president, despite usually being indifferent toward politics. “When politics come up in Coldwater, I usually just get up and walk away,” he noted.
The community still shows support for Ceballos, who received nearly 83% of the vote from Coldwater residents only weeks ago. Coldwater City Council President Britt Lennertz praised him, stating he has performed well as mayor and prioritizes the community in his decisions.
While acknowledging that the allegations are indeed concerning, Lennertz called for patience, urging respect for due process and the integrity of local authorities.
Ceballos’ longtime friend, Ryan Swayze, described him as kind-hearted and well-meaning, yet pointed out a level of naivety. He, along with Ceballos’ father and special education teacher, shares some responsibility for not clarifying the distinction between a permanent resident and a U.S. citizen during Ceballos’ upbringing.
Though Ceballos has not provided direct comments regarding the accusations, he hinted that these events have significantly affected his mental well-being. “I’m scared,” he admitted, “I’m not sleeping.”
