California Woman Arrested for Illegally Voting Her Dog
A woman in California faces serious legal trouble after allegedly registering and voting her dog in the 2021 and 2022 elections. The case has taken a bizarre turn, as she also posted about it online, sharing a photo of her dog along with an “I voted” sticker.
Laura Lee Yourex, a 62-year-old from Costa Mesa, has been charged by Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer with multiple felonies, including perjury and filing false documents. Specifically, she faces one count of perjury and charges related to voting with fictitious registrations, including for her dog.
Prosecutors state that she cast a vote under her dog’s name, “Maya Jean Yourex,” during both the 2021 recall election and the 2022 primary. Interestingly, Maya’s vote was accepted in 2021 but deemed invalid in 2022.
Details about how Maya “voted” remain unclear.
In a somewhat related note, former President Donald Trump has echoed his concerns over fraudulent voting, suggesting a need for reform in the voting system.
Yourex is expected to appear in court on September 9. If found guilty on all counts, she could face up to six years in state prison.
In a surprising twist, Yourex reportedly informed election officials about her actions, which raises questions about her judgment.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, on October 28, 2024, officials were alerted by residents about Yourex’s strange registration of her dog. California law requires voters to register by submitting an affidavit that includes personal information, and it must be signed under penalty of perjury.
While California does not require proof of residency or ID for state elections, first-time federal voters do need to provide such documentation.
The primary vote cast in Maya’s name was ultimately challenged and rejected, according to prosecutors.
In another Instagram post, Yourex shared a picture of Maya’s dog tag alongside a voting ballot, humorously suggesting that “Mae is still voting.”
This incident raises eyebrows, illustrating just how absurd the situation has become—perhaps even leading to speculation that, in California, even deceased pets could pull off a vote.
