Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has dropped a bombshell by filing felony charges against Coldwater Mayor Jose Ceballos, catching many off guard just one day post his reelection. The allegations center around Ceballos’ lengthy history of voting and holding office as a legal permanent resident, prompting discussions about his compliance with both state and federal law.
A Burdened Non-Citizen Mayor
Mayor Ceballos, known for his long-standing service, is a green card holder who has been in this position through multiple terms. His citizenship status became contentious after he applied for U.S. citizenship in February, raising concerns from city officials.
According to Coldwater’s city attorney, Skip Herd, the application spotlighted the potential question of Ceballos’ legal voter status. “He’s been a registered voter since 1990. His application for citizenship brought to light whether he should indeed be considered a legal citizen,” noted Herd.
This situation sparked a review of his eligibility when immigration documents indicated mixed signals about his status. Despite being reelected, Ceballos now finds himself in a precarious legal spot.
Kobach’s Statement on Public Trust
In his statements, Attorney General Kobach emphasized that the case illustrates the delicate balance in our electoral process, which largely hinges on personal integrity of voters. “Our system rests on the foundational trust that those who register are being truthful concerning their eligibility,” said Kobach. He added that, in this instance, they believe Mayor Ceballos breached that trust.
There are three counts against Ceballos for voting while unqualified and an additional three counts for election perjury. If convicted, he could face a significant punishment, including potential prison time exceeding five years and fines reaching $200,000.
Discovery via Voter Roll Review
Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab revealed that the investigation arose during a comprehensive voter roll review utilizing the federal SAVE program, aimed at confirming immigration statuses. Schwab acknowledged that current resources, under the Trump administration, allowed them to detect such discrepancies effectively.
He affirmed, “We’ve acquired tools that had been unavailable for over a decade to delve into records and identify whether individuals on our voter rolls are, for instance, legal residents without citizen status.”
Future Prospects for Coldwater
Ceballos is reportedly able to fulfill the last two months of his term. If he does not secure citizenship approval by the end of his term, the city’s council president will take over mayoral duties.
As legal complexities swirl, Coldwater braces itself for potential leadership transitions and a challenging political landscape.
