The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Nov. 21, 2025
Charges of illegal noncitizen voting have been filed by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach against a respected local mayor, who just won reelection with 83% of the vote. The politically ambitious Kobach promises “hundreds” more prosecutions. It’s highly unlikely.
Kobach, a former Kansas Secretary of State and 2017 vice-chair of President Donald Trump’s Presidential Commission on Election Integrity, charged Coldwater, Kansas Mayor Jose Ceballos with three counts of voting without being qualified and three counts of election perjury. Ceballos, a permanent legal resident from Mexico who has applied for U.S. citizenship, allegedly voted in the 2022, 23 and 24 elections. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and deportation.
Kobach said in a press conference that there are “thousands” of noncitizens on the Kansas voter rolls, and he expected “hundreds” of more prosecutions.
The data, however, suggests otherwise. A 2016 study by the Brennan Center for Justice found noncitizen voting “vanishingly rare,” and conservative Cato Institute research reviews in 2020 and 2024 found that noncitizens don’t illegally vote in detectable numbers, and don’t sway elections.
Speaking to KWCH News, City Council President Britt Leonards said of the mayor, He has done a wonderful job. He’s always put our community first in everything he does.”
We’ve linked to local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Kansas Reflector – Kansas mayor charged with alleged voter fraud; state leader says ‘hundreds’ more cases expected
Topeka Capital Journal – Kansas officials believe illegal voting case is first of many
Kansas Attorney General’s Office – Kobach, Schwab announce charges in voter fraud case
Kansas SOS Office – Secretary Schwab and Attorney General Kobach announce voter fraud charges – FULL Press Conference
Brennan Center for Justice – Noncitizen Voting Is Already Illegal — and Vanishingly Rare
Cato Institute – (2020) Noncitizens Don’t Illegally Vote in Detectable Numbers
Cato Institute – (2024) Illegal Alien Voting Isn’t Swaying Federal Elections
ProPublica – (2018) How the Case for Voter Fraud Was Tested — and Utterly Failed
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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