News Summary
Laura Lee Yourex, a resident of Costa Mesa, faces five felony charges for allegedly registering her dog to vote illegally and casting ballots on its behalf. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office launched an investigation following a report from the Registrar of Voters about suspicious voting activity. If convicted, Yourex could face up to six years in prison. This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding mail-in voting and election integrity, particularly in light of gaps in California’s voting processes.
Costa Mesa – Laura Lee Yourex, a 62-year-old resident of Costa Mesa, is facing five felony charges for allegedly registering her dog, Maya Jean Yourex, to vote illegally and casting ballots on its behalf in two elections. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office initiated an investigation after receiving information from the Orange County Registrar of Voters regarding the questionable voting activities. Yourex’s actions have spotlighted ongoing discussions about mail-in voting and election integrity.
The felonies that Yourex is charged with include one count of perjury, one count of procuring or offering a false or forged document to be filed, two counts of casting a ballot when not entitled to vote, and one count of registering a non-existent person to vote. If convicted on all counts, Yourex could potentially face up to six years in state prison.
The investigation into Yourex’s actions began on October 28, 2024, when the Registrar’s Office lodged a report about the dubious registrations. Interestingly, Yourex reportedly self-reported her actions to the Registrar’s Office, indicating an acknowledgement of her misconduct. Evidence gathered during the investigation highlighted that Yourex had posted on social media about her dog casting votes. In January 2022, she shared a photo of Maya adorned with an “I voted” sticker next to a ballot.
Moreover, in October 2024, Yourex posted yet another photo featuring Maya’s dog tag and a mail-in ballot, suggesting that her dog continued to receive ballots even after its passing. The situation escalated when the mail-in ballot cast for Maya in the 2022 primary election was ultimately rejected after being challenged, marking a clear indication of the irregularity of the dog’s registration.
According to the California Elections Code, every individual submitting an application for voter registration must provide personal information and sign an affidavit asserting their U.S. citizenship, with penalties applied for false declarations. Notably, this legal framework stipulates there is no requirement for proof of residence or identification to register or cast a vote. The case of Yourex underscores gaps that could be leveraged for misconduct, stirring conversations surrounding the structure of California’s voting processes.
The elections in which Maya allegedly participated included the controversial 2021 gubernatorial recall election, which aimed to remove California Governor Gavin Newsom from office. The recall effort ultimately failed with 61.9% of voters opting against the removal, a reflection on the public sentiment surrounding the governor’s performance at the time.
Yourex, who has a history of community involvement, was known for raising three children locally and volunteering in various organizations, including schools and youth sports. This background has made her case particularly surprising for community members who are now discussing its implications in light of national debates on mail-in voting and the integrity of elections.
As the legal proceedings progress, Yourex is scheduled for arraignment on September 9, 2025, at the Stephen K. Tamura West Justice Center in Westminster. The case has not only garnered attention due to its bizarre nature but is also set against a broader backdrop of claims around voter fraud, particularly concerning mail-in ballots, intensifying scrutiny on election processes nationwide.
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Additional Resources
- ABC7 News
- Orange County Register
- CBS News Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Times
- Newsweek
- Wikipedia: Voter Fraud
- Google Search: California elections mail-in voting
- Google Scholar: Election Integrity
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mail-in Voting
- Google News: Election Fraud
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
