Prosecutors charged James O'Keefe and Cam Higby over a Minnesota primary stunt
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced Oct. 28 that prosecutors charged conservative activist James Edward O’Keefe and influencer Cam Higby with felony unlawful voting and identity theft over an August stunt at Minnesota polling places. Prosecutors allege they used registered voters’ names without permission; neither signed the required oath or received a ballot. Neither man is in custody.
More context
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced on October 28 that prosecutors charged conservative activist James O'Keefe and social media influencer Cam Higby with felony unlawful voting and identity theft over a stunt at Minnesota's August 11 primary. Moriarty said the men gave election judges names of registered voters in their precincts without the voters' knowledge or permission. Prosecutors said neither man signed the required oath or received a ballot. A video the men posted shows them at Minneapolis polling sites wearing attire resembling clothing worn by some Muslims and using fake accents while asking about Minnesota's voter-vouching process. O'Keefe Media Group said the men presented “an intentionally extreme scenario” to expose what they see as the “lunacy” of the vouching system. Each count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
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Reporting
- BBC News — US conservative activists charged with unlawful voting in election stunt
- Straight Arrow News — Conservative activists charged after stunt at Minnesota polling place
- Newsweek — Conservative Activists Hit With Voter Fraud Charges In Election Stunt - Newsweek
- Reuters — Minnesota charges conservative activist O'Keefe, influencer Higby after voting stunt
- Associated Press — A Minnesota prosecutor charges James O'Keefe and Cam Higby with unlawful voting | AP News
- The Wall Street Journal — Conservative Activist James O’Keefe Faces Felony Charges for Minnesota Voting Stunt - WSJ
- The New York Times — Right-Wing Provocateur James O’Keefe Charged in Minnesota Voting Stunt - The New York Times
- ABC7 News — James O'Keefe and Cam Higby, 2 right-wing provocateurs, facing election-related charges in Minnesota - ABC7 San Francisco
Verifier’s note
BBC News and the other publishers report that Minnesota prosecutors charged James O’Keefe and Cam Higby with unlawful voting and identity theft over their election-related stunt, alleging they used other voters’ names. The reports describe charges announced on October 28, consistent with the proposed event and its timing.