A 62-year-old woman from Costa Mesa, California, is facing legal trouble after allegedly registering her dog to vote and casting two ballots in the dog’s name. Laura Lee Yourex has been charged with five felonies, including perjury and submitting forged documents, as stated by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
According to the DA, Yourex submitted mail-in ballots for her dog, named Maya Jean Yourex, during the 2021 governor’s recall election and the 2022 primary election. The ballots for the recall were counted, but those from the primary were dismissed.
Interestingly, Yourex turned herself in to the Orange County Registrar last October, ultimately prompting the district attorney’s investigation. It appears she may have boasted about her dog’s voting exploits on social media, even posting a picture of Maya wearing an “I voted” sticker in January 2022.
She also shared a photo last October of a dog collar alongside a mail-in ballot, declaring that Maya was still allowed to vote even after her passing. “Maya is still voting,” she wrote.
If convicted, Yourex could face a maximum of six years in prison. It remains unclear how her actions may have influenced any political parties or how the votes were fraudulently obtained.
In California, registering to vote mandates that individuals provide specific details, including their political affiliations, while also confirming their citizenship under the threat of perjury. Proof of residence isn’t necessarily required for state elections, although first-time voters must provide this documentation for federal elections.
