Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty charged James O'Keefe and Cam Higby over a polling-place stunt
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Wednesday that conservative activist James O’Keefe and content creator Cam Higby face felony charges of unlawful voting and identity theft. Prosecutors allege they used disguises and names of registered voters, including deceased voters, at polling places during Minnesota’s Aug. 11 primary. The pair said they sought to expose weaknesses in voter-vouching rules.
More context
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Wednesday that her office had charged conservative activist James O’Keefe and conservative content creator Cam Higby with felony counts of unlawful voting and identity theft over a stunt at Minnesota polling places during the Aug. 11 primary. Prosecutors allege the two entered Hennepin County polling places in disguises, identified themselves using registered voters’ names without the voters’ knowledge or permission, and secretly filmed poll workers. Moriarty said some names belonged to deceased voters. The New Republic, citing the Minnesota Star Tribune, reported that the pair cast no ballots and left one polling place after being asked for identification; both are due in court in November. O’Keefe and Higby said they were trying to expose vulnerabilities in Minnesota rules allowing one voter to vouch for another.
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Reporting
- Democracy Docket — Right-wing provocateur James O’Keefe charged with unlawful voting for Minnesota elections stunt - Democracy Docket
- The Wall Street Journal — Conservative Activist James O’Keefe Faces Felony Charges for Minnesota Voting Stunt - WSJ
- Forbes — Conservative Influencer James O’Keefe Charged With Unlawful Voting, Identity Theft
- NBC News — James O’Keefe charged with unlawful voting and identity theft in Minnesota
- ABC News — 2 right-wing provocateurs facing election-related charges in Minnesota - ABC News
- MS NOW — James O’Keefe and Cam Higby face election fraud charges in Minnesota
- The Guardian — Conservative influencers charged with unlawful voting after ‘Muslim garb’ election stunt
- newrepublic.com — Conservatives on “Voter Fraud” Quest Get Charged With Identity Theft | The New Republic
Verifier’s note
Democracy Docket, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, NBC News, The New Republic, ABC News, MS NOW, and The Guardian all report charges against James O’Keefe and Cam Higby tied to their Minnesota primary voting stunt. The reports are dated October 28, 2026, consistent with a current event.