The mayor of a small Kansas town who cruised to reelection this week has been charged with voting illegally.
Jose “Joe” Ceballos, 54, won reelection in Coldwater, Kansas, on Tuesday. The next day, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach charged Ceballos with voting in multiple elections illegally, saying he is not a U.S. citizen.
Ceballos, who was first elected mayor in 2021, was charged with three counts of voting without being qualified and three counts of election perjury for three elections in November 2022, November 2023 and August 2024, according to court documents.
“In Kansas, it is against the law to vote if you are not a U.S. citizen. We allege that Mr. Ceballos did it multiple times,” Kobach said in a press release.
Ceballos is a legal permanent resident of the U.S., the attorney general said.
Coldwater City Council President Britt Lenertz told ABC News that the city council is working with authorities to ensure transparency and due process.
“We recognize the importance of transparency and due process and are committed to ensuring that all actions taken by the City remain in full compliance with applicable laws and regulations. To that end, we are actively seeking guidance from the state level to determine the appropriate course of action moving forward. Our foremost priority is to uphold the integrity of City operations and maintain the public’s trust as this matter continues to unfold,” Lenertz said.
At a press conference Wednesday, Kobach said Ceballos violated the trust of his constituents.
“In large part, our system right now is based on trust,” Kobach said at the presser. “Trust that when the person signs the registration or signs the poll books saying that he’s a qualified elector or that he is a United States citizen, that the person is telling the truth. In this case, we allege that Mr. Ceballos violated that trust.”
Prior to serving as mayor, Ceballos served two terms in the city council, officials said.
Coldwater is a town of fewer than 700 people, according to the 2020 Census, and is located just north of the Oklahoma border in central Kansas.
The mayor helms numerous responsibilities for the town, per the city’s website, including presiding over city council meetings, serving as a spokesperson for the community and tending to day-to-day operations in the city.
Ceballos could face more than 5 years in prison and $200,000 in fines if convicted, according to the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.
His next court date is set for Dec. 3.
The mayor did not immediately respond to ABC News’ requests for comment.
