A woman from California might spend up to six years in state prison for fraudulently using her dog’s name to register to vote and casting two ballots, with one being counted.
Laura Lee Yourex, 62, of Costa Mesa, faces five felony charges related to voter fraud for registering her dog to vote.
As per the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the woman, Yourex, sent mail-in ballots using the name Maya Jean Yourex, her dog’s name, during the 2021 gubernatorial recall and the 2022 primary elections.
The first ballot was successfully counted, while the second was challenged and rejected, officials said.
Last October, Yourex self-reported the crime to the Orange County Registrar of Voters, which in turn reported it to local authorities.
Officials began an investigation that confirmed Yourex registered Maya Jean to vote, participated in both elections, and shared details about her actions on social media.
In January 2022, she shared a photo of her dog with an “I Voted” sticker and the fraudulent ballot. By October 2024, she posted a picture showing her dog’s collar and a mail-in ballot addressed to her, commenting that she continued to receive them although her dog had passed away.
She now faces five felony charges, including perjury, offering a forged document, illegal voting, and registering a fictional person. She is scheduled to appear in court next week.
To register to vote in California, individuals must complete a form with their identifiable details, political affiliation, and confirm their citizenship under penalty of perjury.
While California Elections Code does not require proof of residence or identification for citizens to register to vote or cast a ballot in state elections, proof of residence and registration is required for first-time voters to vote in a federal election.
That discrepancy led to the 2021 recall vote being accepted, while the primary ballot in the dog’s name was challenged and rejected, officials said.
The 2021 recall election was ultimately unsuccessful, with Gov. Gavin Newsom staving off the effort with nearly 62% of support from voters.
The D.A.’s Office did not disclose how Yourex cast those fraudulent votes, or which party, if any, may have benefited from the scheme.
Officials say anyone with information regarding potential election-related “irregularities” can contact the D.A.’s Office Election Fraud Hotline at (657) 707-4048.
