CAIR seeks probe of alleged voter-impersonation stunt in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (MNTV) — The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called for a criminal investigation after activists allegedly used Muslim stereotypes and tried to impersonate a real voter at a polling place.

The activists, reportedly linked to the Florida-based Citizen Justice League — formerly known as Project Veritas — are accused of wearing clothing associated with Muslims, affecting exaggerated accents, and attempting to test the state’s voter-vouching system during a primary. 

One participant allegedly identified himself to officials as William Pomeranz, a real Minnesota voter; the activists did not cast ballots, and poll workers reported the incident. Impersonating a voter in Minnesota is a felony carrying up to seven years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

CAIR Minnesota director Jaylani Hussein said the incident should not be dismissed as a stunt, arguing it combined an attempt to test election procedures with stereotypes portraying Muslims as deceptive or fraudulent. 

The case raises two distinct concerns, the group said: whether election law was broken, and whether using a fabricated Muslim identity reinforced harmful stereotypes. Concerns about election security, it argued, should be pursued through lawful oversight, not unlawful impersonation.

CAIR has also expanded voter-engagement efforts ahead of the 2026 midterms, launching a national platform to give Muslim voters information and resources to participate and defend their voting rights.