Facts Matter – The Epoch Times

Episode: Mexican National Who Became a US Mayor Faces Voter Fraud Charges
Date: November 12, 2025
Host: Roman

Overview

In this episode, Roman delves into the complex case of Jose “Joe” Ceballos, the long-serving mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, who is facing six felony charges related to election fraud. The controversy centers on the revelation that Ceballos, a Mexican national and green card holder, has voted in multiple elections and held local office for years without being a U.S. citizen. The legal and community implications are explored, along with larger questions about voter eligibility, the effectiveness of citizenship verification, and public response.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introducing Coldwater and Mayor Joe Ceballos

• Background on Coldwater, KS:
  • Small, rural town near Oklahoma border.
  • Demographics: 90% white, 6% Hispanic, 1% black (2020 census).
  • Typical property value: $73,000; household income: $46,000.
• Ceballos’ Tenure:
  • On city council since 2013.
  • Elected mayor in 2021, reelected in 2025 by a landslide.
  • Described as well-liked and deeply involved in the community.
• Main Issue:
  • Despite decades as a resident and public servant, Ceballos was never a U.S. citizen—he has a green card, not citizenship.

Felony Charges and Legal Uncertainty

• Announcement of Charges (02:10):
  • Six felony counts of election perjury and voting without being qualified, spanning 2022–2024.
  • Quote from Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach:

    “Jose Ceballos, the mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, shouldn’t have been allowed to vote for himself because he isn’t even a citizen…” (02:30)

• History of Registration:
  • Ceballos has reportedly been a registered voter since 1990.
  • The current indictment only addresses his votes from 2022 onward.

Can a Non-Citizen Serve as Mayor?

• Legal Ambiguity (04:30):
  • Kansas law mandates state-level and national candidates must be citizens, but local office “home rule” creates gray area.
  • City attorney and council must determine if Ceballos can remain mayor.
  • Kansas Secretary of State refuses to certify 2025 reelection results pending clarification.
  • Quote from Secretary of State Scott Schwab:

    “The election is not over … the law says he should not be seated because he’s not a lawful elector. But again, it will be up to the local city council.” (05:20)

The Wider Issue: Election Security and Voter Verification

• Concerns about Non-Citizen Voting (06:00):
  • Attorney General Kobach:

    “Voting by noncitizens, including both legal and illegal aliens, is a very real problem. It happens every time a non-citizen votes—it effectively cancels out a US citizen's vote.” (06:15)

  • Secretary of State Schwab emphasized the need for proof of citizenship requirements and praised the Trump-era SAVE (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility) initiative:

    “I've worked with Attorney General Kobach for years on proof of citizenship as a useful tool to root out election crimes … I'm grateful that President Trump implemented the SAVE program.” (06:35)

• The SAVE Program:
  • A federal proposal encouraging states to verify citizenship against DHS records before voter registration.
  • Kansas adopted the policy only recently (2025).

How Ceballos Was Discovered

• Tip-Off and Investigation (09:00):
  • The SAVE program did not catch Ceballos; a local tip-off (source undisclosed) led to investigation.
  • Speculation that his recent citizenship application prompted scrutiny of his status.
  • Attorney General declined to specify details:

    “The specifics of how we came to know that this individual is on the voter rolls and voting, we’re not at liberty to talk about right now. That’s part of the investigation…” (09:55)

State and Judicial Context

• Previous Attempts at Proof of Citizenship Laws (11:00):
  • Prior efforts to require proof of citizenship in Kansas struck down by federal courts.
  • Reference to 2018 ruling rebuking then-Secretary Kobach for lack of evidence of widespread fraud.

Community Response & Local Sentiment

• City Council Reaction (12:05):
  • Held emergency meeting; president’s statement:

    “While the recent allegations involving the Mayor are understandably concerning, we will allow the proper legal process to take its course. It's important that we respect both due process and the integrity of our local government.” (12:20)

• Family and Community Support:
  • Ceballos’ daughter appealed for compassion:

    “You all know my father and know that he is a hard-working man … he truly didn't know that he couldn't vote or run for the positions that he ran and served. It is a very sad day.” (12:45)

  • Local social media overwhelmingly positive about Ceballos’ character and contributions.

What Happens Next?

• Legal Consequences:
  • Facing six felonies; maximum penalty of 5 years in prison, $200,000 fine.
  • Presumed innocent until trial; first court date set for December 3rd, 2025.
• Governance in Limbo:
  • Reelection results not certified; remains de facto mayor as incumbent pending legal outcomes.
• Potential Impact:
  • Ceballos received over 80% of the recent vote—community focused on his public service, not the legal technicality.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Kris Kobach (Kansas Attorney General):
  • “Voting by noncitizens… is a very real problem. It happens every time a non citizen votes—it effectively cancels out a US Citizen's vote.” (06:15)
• Scott Schwab (Kansas Secretary of State):
  • “The law says he should not be seated because he's not a lawful elector. But again, it will be up to the local city council.” (05:20)
• Ceballos’ Daughter:
  • “I can promise you that he truly didn't know that he couldn't vote or run… It is a very sad day.” (12:45)
• Coldwater City Council President:
  • “We will allow the proper legal process to take its course… It's important that we respect both due process and the integrity of our local government.” (12:20)
• Host’s Commentary:
  • “Frankly, what's perhaps most interesting in this particular case is that this man seems to really be beloved in his community… this indictment appears to be a bitter pill to swallow.” (14:20)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:00 – Introduction & summary of Coldwater’s demographics
• 02:00 – Background on Jose Ceballos and timeline of his service
• 02:30 – Announcement and details of felony charges
• 04:30 – Legal ambiguity on non-citizen service in local office
• 06:00–07:00 – Quotes from AG Kobach and Secretary Schwab on voter fraud
• 09:00 – How the investigation began (local tip-off, not SAVE program)
• 11:00 – Judicial history of proof-of-citizenship laws in Kansas
• 12:05–12:45 – Community and City Council responses, daughter’s public comment
• 14:20 – Host’s reflection on the paradox of Ceballos’ popularity despite allegations
• 15:30 – Closing thoughts and legal process outlook

Conclusion

The episode thoughtfully presents the facts surrounding an unusual legal and political case while contextualizing the broader challenges of voter verification and election integrity. The situation remains unresolved, leaving Coldwater to balance legal obligations with the apparent will of its voters, and prompting reflection on the complexities of local democracy in America.

For further research or documentation, Roman mentions that source notes are available in the episode’s description.