Non-citizen Democrat Kansas mayor is under fire for voting in U.S. election

Non-citizen Democrat Kansas mayor is under fire for voting in U.S. elections without citizenship, lying on election form saying he was an American
Jose "Joe" Ceballos-Armendariz, the 54-year-old mayor of a southwestern Kansas town, allegedly committed multiple felonies by voting in U.S. elections as a noncitizen, and signing official forms under penalty of perjury to falsely declare himself an American.


DHS released the evidence today, confirming Ceballos-Armendariz – a Mexican national – submitted voter registrations claiming U.S. citizenship.
Because of his declaration of citizenship, he was allowed to vote in several elections.
Days after his re-election as mayor, the Kansas Attorney General's Office filed charges.
"This alien committed a felony by voting in American elections," said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.


On December 12, 2017, Ceballos-Armendariz completed a Kansas voter registration form, checking "Yes" to the question "Are you a citizen of the United States of America?"
He signed the document, affirming under oath that the information was true, with a clear warning that false statements could lead to up to 18 months in prison and fines.

The form listed his address in Coldwater, his date of birth as April 16, 1969, and his affiliation as Democrat.

Prosecutors allege he voted in "numerous" elections even though he's not a citizen, violating Kansas law that reserves voting for qualified U.S. citizens.

This includes ballots cast after his 1995 battery conviction, which already marked his criminal record.

In February 2025, while applying for naturalization, Ceballos-Armendariz lied again by denying he had ever claimed U.S. citizenship – a direct contradiction to his voter forms.

DHS records show he held only permanent residency status at the time of his votes.

Criminal charges were filed in Comanche County District Court, he faces three counts of voting without being qualified and three counts of election perjury – all felonies carrying potential sentences of more than five years in prison.