Conservative operatives James O'Keefe and Cam Higby face felony counts of unlawful voting and identity theft following an August stunt at a Minnesota precinct. Prosecutors allege the pair dressed in Islamic attire, adopted false accents, and provided poll workers with registered voters' names without consent. While neither man signed the address confirmation oath, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office stated they intentionally falsified their identities during the ballot application process. Higby defended the operation as an effort to expose vulnerabilities in Minnesota's voter-vouching policy and denied casting a ballot.
Key points
Minnesota law explicitly prohibits individuals from intentionally falsifying their identi…: Minnesota law explicitly prohibits individuals from intentionally falsifying their identities when applying for ballots or attempting to cast votes.
The undercover operation targeted a Minnesota policy permitting registered voters to vouc…: The undercover operation targeted a Minnesota policy permitting registered voters to vouch for the address and identity of up to eight people.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon warned that disruptions and attempts to deceive…: Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon warned that disruptions and attempts to deceive election personnel will not be tolerated.
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Two conservative activists who filmed a stunt undercover at a Minnesota polling site have been charged with unlawful voting and identity theft, prosecutors said.
James Edward O'Keefe and Cam Higby are accused of trying to sow doubt in the state's voting systems after sharing a video that shows them in Islamic attire and using fake accents while interacting with poll workers.
Prosecutors allege the pair misrepresented their identities by giving election judges the names of registered voters in the precinct without those voters' knowledge or permission.
Higby told the BBC he sought to "expose vulnerabilities" in the voting system and alleged the state is now trying to take away his right to vote.
"This investigation was conducted to expose vulnerabilities in the Minnesota voting system, which affects all Americans," Higby, a 26-year-old political commentator, said.
"I never voted, I never signed an affidavit, and I never violated a law," he continued. "For showing how Minnesota abuses votes, they seek to take mine away from me permanently."
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office confirmed neither of the men signed the…
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