Kansas Mayor Charged with Felonies for Illegal Voting

Overview of the Charges Against Coldwater Mayor

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has charged Coldwater Mayor Jose Ceballos with six felony counts related to illegal voting. Ceballos, identified as a non-citizen, faces serious allegations of having voted in multiple elections and committing election perjury. This legal action comes shortly after he was re-elected by voters.

Implications of Non-Citizen Voting

In response to the charges, Kobach emphasized that non-citizen voting poses significant issues for electoral integrity, stating that it effectively “cancels out” the votes of U.S. citizens. He characterized the alleged actions of Ceballos as a violation of public trust within the electoral system. Kobach highlighted that the current system relies heavily on the assumption that individuals signing voter registration forms and pollbooks are telling the truth about their eligibility.

The Role of the SAVE Program

Federal officials have pointed to the Trump-era expansion of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program as instrumental in uncovering this case. They described the previous lack of security measures as “unacceptable.” In a press release, Kobach reinforced the severity of the issue, asserting that non-citizen voting, whether by legal or illegal aliens, is a recurring problem that undermines the democratic process.

Legal Context and Reactions

Kobach further clarified that under Kansas law, it is illegal for non-citizens to vote. He alleged that Ceballos had voted multiple times despite this restriction. The Attorney General argued that when a non-citizen occupies an elected position, it deprives a U.S. citizen of the opportunity to hold that office, further exacerbating the problem.

Details Uncovered by Local Officials

Skip Herd, the City Attorney for Coldwater, provided additional insight into Ceballos’s voting history. He noted that Ceballos had been a registered voter since 1990 and had applied for citizenship in February of this year, raising questions about his legal status. Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab also contributed to the discussion by explaining the detection process. He indicated that new tools made available by the current administration have enhanced the ability to verify voter eligibility through the SAVE program.

Official Responses to the Scandal

In closing remarks, Schwab thanked former President Trump for implementing the SAVE program, which he believes has played a crucial role in addressing election fraud. He mentioned his long-standing collaboration with Kobach on proof of citizenship initiatives aimed at preventing election-related crimes. Schwab criticized the current reliance on individuals’ self-reported citizenship status, stressing the need for more robust verification mechanisms.

Conclusion

The situation surrounding Mayor Jose Ceballos raises significant concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the impact of non-citizen voting on democracy in Kansas. As the case unfolds, officials are emphasizing the importance of strict adherence to voting laws and the necessity of verification systems to maintain public trust in elections.