Minnesota Prosecutors File Felony Charges Against Conservative Activists O'Keefe and Higby Over Alleged Voter Impersonation at Polling Places
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced felony charges of illegal voting and identity theft against conservative activist James O'Keefe and influencer Cam Higby, alleging they entered polling places under the names of registered voters during Minnesota's August primary. The two used the state's "vouching" mechanism and filmed in disguise; the office of Secretary of State Steve Simon referred their conduct to prosecutors.
Minnesota prosecutors on Wednesday filed felony charges against conservative provocateur James O'Keefe and influencer Cam Higby, alleging illegal voting and identity theft. In August of this year, the two appeared at polling places using the names of registered voters.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced the charges at a news conference. She said that during the state primary on August 11, the two entered polling places using the names of registered voters in the precinct without those voters' knowledge or consent.
Moriarty stated that although the two individuals did not sign an oath before receiving ballots, Minnesota law clearly provides that no person may intentionally impersonate another when applying for a ballot.
O'Keefe and Higby took advantage of the "vouching" mechanism in Minnesota law. The mechanism allows people to vouch for other voters on Election Day. Registered voters living in the same precinct may vouch for up to 8 voters, and staff at residential facilities may vouch for their residents.
The two influencers disguised themselves and used hidden cameras to record their activities at the polling places. They posted videos from the scene on social media in August. O'Keefe wrote on X that they wore "Muslim clothing," with one even wearing a niqab, in order to "expose the absurdity of Minnesota's vouching system."
Moriarty said on Wednesday that the office of Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon reported the two's actions to prosecutors.
After the two's videos were made public, Simon said in a statement: "Their obvious goal was to challenge Minnesota's election law, which has been in place for more than fifty years. However, this only exposed their ignorance of how the law actually works, and at the same time landed them in legal jeopardy."
Simon added: "The misconduct of these individuals is outrageous and completely unacceptable. We have zero tolerance for lying, breaking the law, and disrupting order at polling places."
Moriarty also disclosed that police have interviewed the registered voters whose names were used, adding that the two individuals even used the names of deceased voters. As for where they obtained these names, Moriarty said, "We don't know at this point."
Moriarty said the two are not currently in custody and that prosecutors will issue summonses for them to appear in court.
Neither O'Keefe nor Higby immediately responded to requests for comment.
For years, President Trump has repeatedly accused Democrats of rigging elections or committing voter fraud. To combat and prevent alleged voter fraud, the Trump administration has been targeting Democratic-controlled states, seeking state voter lists and screening for noncitizen voters.
O'Keefe has previously been involved in other voter fraud-related incidents. During the 2020 presidential election, Project Veritas, which he founded, promoted false claims by a postal worker about election fraud, and was subsequently sued by a Pennsylvania postmaster; the two sides reached a settlement in 2024. O'Keefe was fired in 2023 and no longer heads the organization.
Higby is a former reporter for conservative media and currently runs a YouTube account with 285,000 subscribers.
