Former Kansas Mayor Pleads Guilty to Voter Fraud

A green card holder originally from Mexico, who once served as the mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, has admitted to committing voter fraud by voting illegally several times. He also incorrectly stated that he was a U.S. citizen on his voter registration forms, according to federal authorities.

This situation has sparked discussions surrounding voter fraud and the integrity of elections, especially as the Trump administration advocates for stricter measures against illegal immigration and wants to enhance election security.

Jose “Joe” Ceballos, who held two terms as the mayor, entered a guilty plea this week to three counts of election fraud after the office of Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach pursued the case, with involvement from the Department of Homeland Security.

It’s worth noting that Ceballos has a prior assault conviction from 1995. He received his green card in 1990 and recently applied for U.S. citizenship in February.

Federal authorities claim he falsely asserted on his citizenship application that he had never claimed to be a U.S. citizen before.

DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Biss pointed out that the SAVE program, initiated during the Trump administration, was instrumental in leading to Ceballos’ prosecution. The program aims to help states verify the immigration status of individuals in the country; however, it has faced criticism from Democrats who highlight inconsistencies, particularly after discovering undocumented truck drivers with state licenses.

Biss mentioned, “The SAVE program is crucial for maintaining election integrity nationwide.” She noted that President Trump emphasized the fundamental need for secure elections.

She urged Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require voters to present photo identification and implement measures to protect federal elections from fraudulent activities. “Elections are for the American people, not foreigners,” Biss added.

Her office also provided examples of Ceballos’ fraudulent claims on a Kansas voter registration form and a naturalization application where he certified that he had made no such claims.

Since April 2025, over 24,000 potential noncitizens have been identified on voter rolls through the SAVE system, according to DHS.

Earlier statements referred to Ceballos as “recently re-elected” in Coldwater.

USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser commented on the matter, calling it “totally unacceptable” but not surprising, given what he described as years of inadequate voting security in the U.S.

“From the outset, the Trump administration prioritized bolstering the SAVE program to help states ensure only citizens are on their voter lists,” he remarked.

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab expressed gratitude for the implementation of the SAVE program for its role in preventing situations like this one.