Conservative activists face charges after staged Minnesota polling-site provocation
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James O'Keefe and Cam Higby have been indicted in Hennepin County on unlawful voting and identity-theft charges after what prosecutors say was a calculated attempt to mislead poll workers during a filmed stunt at a Minnesota voting location.
Two conservative activists, James Edward O'Keefe and Cam Higby, have been charged in Hennepin County with unlawful voting and identity theft after a recorded incident at a Minnesota polling site. Prosecutors say the men gave election judges the names of registered voters without those voters’ consent, violating state law that prohibits intentional misrepresentation when applying for a ballot.
The pair filmed themselves in Islamic attire and used fabricated accents while interacting with poll workers, later releasing the video in an apparent effort to generate outrage and portray the state’s voting system as weak. Higby, a 26-year-old political commentator, told the BBC that the stunt was intended to highlight weaknesses in Minnesota’s voter-vouching law, which allows registered voters to confirm the identity and address of up to eight other voters.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said any attempt to disrupt or deceive election workers will not be tolerated and emphasized that polling places must remain safe and peaceful. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office confirmed that neither O'Keefe nor Higby signed the required oath confirming their address. Court dates for the defendants have not yet been set.