@changeaboutnews: Conservative provocateur James O'Keefe and social media influencer Cam Higby have been hit with felony charges in Minnesota following an undercover video operation at local polling places during the state's August primary election. On October 28, 2026, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced that both men face felony counts of unlawful voting and identity theft. The charges stem from an August 11, 2026, incident where the two men allegedly entered multiple Minneapolis voting precincts in disguise to record a video testing the state’s election security rules. According to the criminal complaints, O'Keefe and Higby utilized the identities of real, registered Minnesota voters without their knowledge or permission. In the video posted online, the men wore traditional Muslim attire, spoke in exaggerated accents, and attempted to navigate Minnesota's "vouching" law, which allows a registered voter to confirm the residency of an unregistered neighbor. Prosecutors noted that while neither man actually signed the required eligibility oaths or cast fraudulent ballots, Minnesota law strictly prohibits anyone from intentionally misrepresenting their identity when applying for a ballot. The strange behavior was flagged by local poll workers, prompting an official investigation. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon condemned the stunt, emphasizing that attempts to deceive election workers will not be tolerated, while Moriarty stated the incident proved the state's security mechanisms function properly.  O'Keefe has defended the operation as constitutionally protected investigative journalism, calling the case weaponized lawfare, while Higby maintained on social media that no laws were broken. Both defendants remain out of custody and are scheduled to make their first court appearances in Hennepin County on November 16, 2026. Each felony count carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

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Friday 30 October 2026 00:05:15 GMT