Prosecutors in Minnesota charged conservative activists James O'Keefe and Cam Higby on Wednesday with unlawful voting and identity theft, ABC News, the Washington Examiner and the BBC report. The charges concern an undercover video filmed during the state's August primary.

The video shows the two men at polling places in Minneapolis wearing burqas and speaking with fake accents, ABC News reports. They said they wanted to expose weak points in a state law that lets registered voters vouch for people who recently moved to Minnesota.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said each man faces one count of each charge. Prosecutors say they gave election judges the names of real voters "without those voters' knowledge or permission." The BBC reports the charges are felonies. ABC News reports each count carries up to five years in prison.

No ballots were cast, and neither man signed the oath needed to get a ballot, the outlets report. Neither is in custody, ABC News reports. It is not clear when they are due in court.

"Elections are the bedrock of democracy," Moriarty said. Secretary of State Steve Simon said "any attempt to disrupt or deceive our election workers will not be tolerated." The Washington Examiner reports his office alerted Moriarty.

O'Keefe called the charges "weaponized lawfare" and said the video is protected journalism, ABC News reports. Higby, 26, said in a BBC interview that he "never voted" and "never violated a law." He has set up a fundraising page for his defense, the Washington Examiner reports.

O'Keefe founded Project Veritas and later O'Keefe Media Group.

What we know: Each man faces charges of unlawful voting and identity theft, and no ballots were cast.
What we don't: When the men will appear in court.