The Orange County Independent News from Orange County California
A 62-year-old woman from Costa Mesa, California, has been charged with five felony counts after allegedly registering her dog to vote and submitting mail-in ballots in the animal’s name during two elections.
Laura Lee Yourex faces accusations of perjury, filing a false or forged document, casting ballots without eligibility, and registering a non-existent person to vote, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. If convicted on all charges, she could face up to six years in prison.
The incidents occurred during the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election and the 2022 primary election. Prosecutors say Yourex used her dog’s name, Maya Jean Yourex, to cast mail-in ballots. The 2021 ballot was counted, but the 2022 ballot was rejected due to stricter verification requirements for federal elections, which mandate proof of residence and registration for first-time voters. California state elections, however, do not require such proof, allowing the 2021 vote to go through unchallenged.
The case came to light after Yourex reportedly contacted the Orange County Registrar of Voters in October 2024, admitting she had registered her dog and cast ballots in its name. Her social media activity further drew attention, including a January 2022 post showing her dog with an “I Voted” sticker alongside a ballot and an October 2024 post displaying the dog’s tag with a mail-in ballot, captioned, “Maya is still getting her ballot,” despite the dog’s death. Yourex’s arraignment is set for September 9, 2025, at the Stephen K. Tamura West Justice Center in Westminster.
The District Attorney’s Office has not disclosed how the fraudulent votes were cast or which candidates or parties benefited. This case has sparked discussions about vulnerabilities in mail-in voting, with some, including former President Donald Trump, citing it as evidence of potential fraud in the system. California election law requires voters to submit an affidavit affirming U.S. citizenship and personal details under penalty of perjury. Yourex’s actions, including publicizing the scheme online, have led to widespread criticism and calls for stronger voter verification measures.
