James O'Keefe
Role at the time: Founder of O'Keefe Media Group and one of the two men charged, in a post on X
Challenged the characterization
Response to this claim
James O'Keefe and Cam Higby misrepresented their identities by giving election judges names of registered voters in the precinct without those voters' knowledge or permission.
“If that's a crime, anyone who speaks with a polling official and asks questions is also committing a crime. Journalism is not a crime.”
Read the original post (opens in a new tab)Post by James O'Keefe on X (Oct. 29, 2026, 5:16 p.m. EDT) · James O'KeefeFull post.
Why we used this label
The reference point is O'Keefe and Higby's conduct at Minneapolis polling places during the August 11 primary, where prosecutors say they gave election judges registered voters' names while asking about vouching. O'Keefe disputes that the conduct was a crime, saying they did not apply for a ballot and that asking polling officials questions is journalism.