James O'Keefe charged in Minnesota over hidden-camera stunt in Muslim dress at polls

Hennepin County prosecutors charged conservative activist James O'Keefe and influencer Cam Higby with felony unlawful voting and identity theft over an undercover stunt at Minneapolis polling places during the August primary.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty on Wednesday announced felony charges of unlawful voting and identity theft against conservative activist James O'Keefe and influencer Cam Higby over an undercover operation at Minneapolis polling places during Minnesota's Aug. 11 primary.

According to prosecutors, the two entered polling places with hidden cameras and gave poll workers the names of registered voters in those precincts without their knowledge, including deceased voters. O'Keefe said they wore "Muslim garb," and one of them reportedly wore a full-face veil. They used Minnesota's vouching process but, Moriarty said, "both men stopped short of signing the oath we all sign before receiving our ballot."

The Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis

Moriarty said the charges had nothing to do with the men's political views or their disguises, adding that "no individual shall intentionally misrepresent their identity in applying for a ballot." The case was referred by Secretary of State Steve Simon's office.

O'Keefe called the charges "lawfare" and said the project aimed to expose vulnerabilities in Minnesota's vouching system. The men are not in custody and will be summoned to appear in court in November.