James O’Keefe, Cam Higby charged over Minnesota primary polling-place stunt
publishers 28articles 29first reported 28 Oct, 16:04 UTCdeveloping since 28 Oct · 4 editions
Hennepin County prosecutors charged conservative influencers James O’Keefe and Cam Higby on Wednesday with felony unlawful voting and identity theft over an August stunt at Minnesota polling places.
County Attorney Mary Moriarty alleged that the men entered polling places during the Aug. 11 state primary, disguised themselves and identified themselves using the names of registered voters without those voters’ knowledge or permission. Authorities said some of the names belonged to deceased people and at least one belonged to a person who voted in the primary.
O’Keefe and Higby recorded the encounters with hidden cameras while attempting to test Minnesota’s vouching system, which allows a registered voter in a precinct to attest to another voter’s residence. Videos were later posted online. The men stopped before signing required oaths and did not cast ballots, but Moriarty said their intent to vote was irrelevant because state law prohibits intentionally misrepresenting one’s identity while applying for a ballot.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon’s office referred the conduct to county prosecutors after the videos became public. Simon said election workers followed proper procedures and accused the group of trying to undermine confidence in election laws.
The men have not been jailed and are expected to receive summonses. MPR News reported that their initial court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 16. Neither man immediately responded to news organizations’ requests for comment.
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Written from 8 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 7 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 6 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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- This version written
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