Dog Votes in Two Elections, Woman Is Now Facing Charges

Costa Mesa Woman Charged After Allegedly Registering Her Dog to Vote

A 62-year-old woman from Costa Mesa is facing felony charges after prosecutors alleged she used her dog’s identity to cast ballots in two California elections. According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Laura Lee Yourex is accused of registering her pet, Maya, to vote and submitting ballots under the dog’s name in both the 2021 gubernatorial recall election and the 2022 primary election. Officials say the first ballot was successfully counted, while the second was rejected.

The unusual case drew widespread attention after investigators discovered that Yourex had openly posted about her actions online. In January 2022, she allegedly shared a photo of Maya wearing an “I Voted” sticker while posing with a ballot. Even after Maya had passed away, Yourex reportedly continued to reference the scheme. In October 2024, she allegedly posted another image showing Maya’s dog tag alongside a vote-by-mail ballot, with the caption suggesting the pet was still receiving ballots in the mail.

Authorities explained that the case came to light when Yourex herself contacted the Orange County Registrar of Voters. She allegedly admitted to registering her dog and casting ballots using Maya’s information. That admission led to a deeper investigation by the District Attorney’s Office, which determined there was sufficient evidence to pursue multiple felony charges.

Prosecutors have filed counts of perjury, submitting false or forged documents, casting ballots when not legally entitled to vote, and registering a non-existent person. Each charge carries serious penalties, reflecting the state’s commitment to election integrity. If convicted on all counts, Yourex could face up to six years in prison.

Sheriff’s officials and prosecutors alike underscored the significance of the case, pointing out that even unconventional or seemingly frivolous attempts to manipulate the voting system are treated with the utmost seriousness. While the allegations have sparked widespread curiosity—particularly because of the involvement of a household pet—prosecutors emphasized that voting laws are enforced uniformly and without exception.

The case remains ongoing as court proceedings move forward. For now, it stands as both an unusual story and a cautionary reminder: election laws leave no room for loopholes, even when the “voter” is a dog.

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This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.