A 62-year-old California woman has been charged with five felonies after allegedly registering her dog to vote and casting ballots in two elections.
The case highlights growing concerns about voter fraud in a state where universal mail-in voting has been made permanent.
The Charges
Prosecutors say Laura Lee Yourex of Costa Mesa registered her dog, Maya, as a voter.
She then cast ballots in Maya’s name during the 2021 gubernatorial recall election and the 2022 primary election.
Yourex now faces felony counts of perjury, submitting false documents, illegal voting, and registering a non-existent person.
How It Happened
Officials said Yourex self-reported the scheme to the Orange County Registrar of Voters in October 2024.
She admitted to casting mail-in ballots addressed to her dog in both elections.
According to the DA’s office, the dog’s vote was successfully counted in 2021 but rejected in 2022.
Investigators said Yourex posted photos of her dog with an “I Voted” sticker in January 2022.
Another post in October 2024 allegedly showed a ballot mailed to Maya, even though the dog had already died.
The caption read: “maya is still getting her ballot.”
Mail-In System Questioned
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 37 in 2021, making mail-in ballots permanent for every registered voter.
That system does not require proof of residence when dropping off or casting a ballot.
Critics argue it has opened the door for fraud and abuse.
What’s Next
The DA’s office said it found “sufficient evidence” to pursue felony charges.
Yourex is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 9.
If convicted, she faces up to six years in state prison.
