by Costa Mesa, CA – A 62-year-old Orange County woman could face up to six years in state prison after allegedly registering her dog to vote and casting two ballots, one of which was counted, officials said.
Laura Lee Yourex has been charged with five felonies related to voter fraud, including perjury, offering a forged document, casting a ballot when not entitled to vote, and registering a non-existent person to vote.
Alleged Voter Fraud
According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Yourex registered her dog, Maya Jean Yourex, to vote and submitted mail-in ballots under the dog’s name during the 2021 gubernatorial recall election and the 2022 primary election.
Officials noted that the first ballot was counted, while the second ballot was challenged and rejected.
Last October, Yourex self-reported the incident to the Orange County Registrar of Voters, which prompted a formal investigation into the case.
Social Media Posts Highlight Fraud
Investigators discovered that Yourex publicly posted about her dog voting on social media.
- In January 2022, she shared a photo of Maya Jean wearing an “I Voted” sticker, holding the fraudulent ballot.
- In October 2024, she posted an image of the dog’s collar and a mail-in ballot addressed to her, claiming she still received ballots despite the dog having passed away.
These posts helped authorities confirm her participation in the fraudulent ballots.
Legal Implications
In California, eligible voters must provide identifiable information, political preference, and attest to citizenship under penalty of perjury when registering to vote.
While proof of residence and identification is not required for state elections, it is necessary for first-time federal election voters, which explains why the 2021 recall ballot was accepted while the 2022 primary ballot was rejected.
The 2021 gubernatorial recall ultimately failed, with Governor Gavin Newsom securing nearly 62% of voter support.
Court and Charges
Yourex is due in court next week to face the five felony charges, which carry a potential prison sentence of up to six years.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office did not specify how the fraudulent ballots were cast or which party, if any, may have benefited.
Officials encourage anyone with information about potential election-related irregularities to contact the D.A.’s Office Election Fraud Hotline at 657-707-4048.
Community Reaction and Election Integrity
The case has drawn attention to California’s voter registration rules and the importance of election integrity. Experts say incidents like this, though rare, highlight potential vulnerabilities in mail-in voting systems and state election procedures.
What do you think about this unusual voter fraud case? Share your thoughts in the comments below and follow for updates on the court proceedings.
