Politics · United States · 9 hrs ago
Two activists charged over posing as Minnesota voters
Hennepin County prosecutors charged James O’Keefe and Cam Higby with felonies over what they did at polling places during Minnesota’s August 11 primary.
Prosecutors say the men gave election workers the names of real registered voters without their permission while applying for ballots at three locations.
They did not vote or sign a voter oath, but prosecutors say misrepresenting someone’s identity while applying for a ballot is against Minnesota law.
The activists filmed the encounters and posted videos that drew millions of views, saying they were testing the state’s voter voucher law.
That law lets a registered voter vouch for someone who lives in their precinct, helping people who have recently moved vote before they are registered there.
Prosecutors say the law does not permit impersonating another voter, and the county attorney said election workers reported the conduct.
The charges come as Minnesota prepares for its general election, and officials say they are ready to respond to election misconduct.
The sources do not say when the men are due in court; Higby said he did not vote, sign an affidavit or break the law.
James O’Keefe and Cam Higby were charged with felony unlawful voting and identity theft over a Minnesota primary-election stunt.
Prosecutors allege they used the names of registered voters without permission when applying for ballots at polling places.
The charges say the pair did not vote or sign voter oaths, but allege that misrepresenting their identities when applying for ballots was unlawful.
The activists said they were testing Minnesota’s voter-vouching law and seeking to expose vulnerabilities in the system.
The law allows a registered voter to vouch for another person’s identity and address, but is intended to help people who recently moved.
- Who
- Conservative activists James O’Keefe, 42, and Cam Higby, 26.
- What
- They were charged with felony unlawful voting and identity theft. Prosecutors allege they misrepresented their identities when applying for ballots.
- When
- The charges were announced on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The incident took place during the August 11 primary.
- Where
- Multiple polling places in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
- Why
- The activists said they were testing the voter-vouching system and exposing vulnerabilities. Prosecutors said they misrepresented their identities and posted videos to try to undermine confidence in Minnesota’s voting systems.
Hennepin County prosecutors
James O’Keefe and Cam Higby
Conduct
Hennepin County prosecutors
Prosecutors allege the men intentionally misrepresented their identities by using registered voters’ names when applying for ballots.
James O’Keefe and Cam Higby
Higby said, "I never voted, I never signed an affidavit, and I never violated a law.
Purpose
Hennepin County prosecutors
Prosecutors said the videos were posted to try to undermine confidence in Minnesota’s voting systems.
James O’Keefe and Cam Higby
Higby said the investigation was conducted to expose vulnerabilities in the Minnesota voting system.
O’Keefe and Higby filmed themselves at polling places during Minnesota’s primary.
The videos had been viewed more than 7 million times, according to CBS News.
Hennepin County prosecutors charged O’Keefe and Higby with felony unlawful voting and identity theft.
- People charged
- James O’Keefe, 42, and Cam Higby, 26
- Charges
- Felony unlawful voting and identity theft
- Locations
- Three polling places in Hennepin County, according to the charges
- Election date
- Minnesota primary, August 11
- Voter-vouching limit
- A registered voter may vouch for the identity and address of up to eight people
- Video views
- More than 7 million as of mid-August, according to CBS News
3 sources
US conservative activists charged with unlawful voting in election stunt
Charges filed against activists who posed as Minnesota voters
America's wokest prosecutor charges conservative activist James O'Keefe with unlawful voting after he dressed in Muslim garb and went to polling station 'to expose the sheer lunacy of Minnesota system'
What people are saying
You cannot go into a polling place and misidentify yourself and use other people's identities to our election judges as you apply for a ballot, whether or not you intend to vote
I never voted, I never signed an affidavit, and I never violated a law
any attempt to disrupt or deceive our election workers will not be tolerated
Kudos to the poll workers. They reported it afterwards, and frankly, I got to vote that evening without a problem. So, you know, the voting process, in my mind, worked