BREAKING: Journalists James O'Keefe, Cam Higby hit with felony charges after going undercover in Muslim garb to expose Minnesota voting 'vouching' loophole

The prosecutor’s office announced that O’Keefe and Higby have been charged with felony counts of unlawful voting and identity theft over the video.

The press release stated, “Mr. O’Keefe and Mr. Higby filmed themselves and posted the videos to social media to try to sow doubt about Minnesota’s secure voting systems. In the videos, both Mr. O’Keefe and Mr. Higby visited multiple precincts in Hennepin County and misrepresented their identities by giving election judges names of registered voters in the precinct without those voters’ knowledge or permission.”

The office stated that Minnesota law “clearly states that no individual shall intentionally misrepresent the individual’s identity in applying for a ballot, depositing a ballot in a ballot box or attempting to vote by means of a voting machine or electronic voting system.” Prosecutors noted that while Higby and O’Keefe “did not sign the oath, both men intentionally misrepresented their identities in applying for ballots.”

The August video showed O’Keefe and Higby going undercover in full traditional Muslim attire and visiting polling places in Minnesota’s primary elections. They set out to expose Minnesota's controversial "vouching" system, where a registered voter can "vouch" for those unregistered to vote on election day as a form of ID. A person can vouch for up to eight others.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said, “Elections are the bedrock of democracy and their protection is one of our highest priorities. Individuals engaging in unlawful conduct related to our elections will be held accountable. Our office has had regular meetings with Hennepin County Elections staff in preparation for both the primary and the general elections this year and we are fully prepared.”

Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said, “Polling places are the heart of our democracy and should be places of safety and peace. Any attempt to disrupt or deceive our election workers will not be tolerated. We are grateful to our law enforcement partners for holding these individuals to account.”

Higby said in response to the announcement, “Minnesota has filed TWO FELONY CHARGES AGAINST ME related to my Burqa video in the state. No laws were broken. They want me in PRISON for exposing election vulnerabilities in their state.”