Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced charges Tuesday against Coldwater Mayor Jose “Joe” Ceballos for allegedly voting multiple times without proper citizenship status. The former mayor, whose name is listed as Jose in official documents but often signs in as Joe on other records, could face up to five years in prison if convicted.
The complaint filed November 5 states that Ceballos appears to have cast a ballot at least once every year or two beginning August 1, 2000. Voter registration applications obtained through public records requests confirm allegations that Ceballos falsely claimed U.S. citizenship on his April 1999 and December 2012 voter registrations.
Both documents required confirmation of U.S. citizenship. The 1999 application specifically stated: “I Swear or Affirm that I am a citizen of the United States.” On the 2012 form, Ceballos checked the “yes” box for citizenship and signed the document confirming his status.
Ceballos told Wichita Eagle he immigrated to America as a child and has voted in every local election since 1991. However, records show he participated in dozens of state and federal elections starting February 2003 through at least November 2024. He did not register for any party on his applications.
His attorney Jess Hoeme indicated Ceballos likely intends to rely on jury sympathy given the lack of clear intent to violate election laws, a strategy common in such cases since juries often rule against defendants who claim misunderstanding of complex legal requirements.
Ceballos’ political history includes repeated elections for mayor despite being twice indifferent about presidential politics. As he told the Wichita Eagle: “If politics comes up in Coldwater, I generally just get up and walk out.”
Britt Lenertz, president of the Coldwater City Council, acknowledged concerns but emphasized waiting for due process to conclude before further comment. Meanwhile, Ryan Swayze expressed concern that Ceballos’ naivete about immigration status stems from incomplete explanations by trusted adults during formative years.
The criminal complaint accuses Ceballos of misunderstanding his green card permanent resident designation as citizenship. His attorney plans to argue this confusion constitutes no intent for illegal activity.
