News Summary
Laura Lee Yourex, a 62-year-old resident of Costa Mesa, is facing five felony charges for allegedly attempting to cast votes for her deceased dog in California elections. The charges include submitting mail-in ballots and registering a non-existent voter. An investigation was initiated after Yourex self-reported her actions, revealing that one of the ballots was counted. The case has raised concerns about voter registration laws and the potential for abuse within the system.
Costa Mesa – A 62-year-old woman from Costa Mesa, Laura Lee Yourex, has been charged with five felonies for allegedly attempting to cast ballots for her dog, Maya Jean Yourex, in California elections. The charges stem from accusations that Yourex registered her dog to vote and submitted mail-in ballots during two elections: the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election and the 2022 primary election.
The Orange County District Attorney, Kimberly Edds, disclosed that Maya’s ballot for the 2021 gubernatorial recall election was counted, while the 2022 ballot was rejected due to the dog’s non-existent status as a voter. The matter was brought to light after the Orange County Registrar of Voters office received a self-report from Yourex regarding her actions, prompting an investigation that began in late October.
Yourex had previously posted photos on social media claiming her dog was eligible to vote, with one post featuring Maya wearing an “I voted” sticker in January 2022, and another in October stating that Maya was still receiving her ballot, despite the dog having passed away. In light of these revelations, the DA’s office charged Yourex with multiple felonies:
- Two counts of casting a ballot when not entitled to vote
- One count of perjury
- One count of procuring or offering a false or forged document to be filed
- One count of registering a non-existent person to vote
If convicted on all counts, Yourex could face a maximum sentence of six years in state prison. Notably, California does not require proof of residence or identification to register to vote or to cast a ballot in state elections, which allowed Maya’s ballot for the 2021 election to be accepted. However, regulations differ for federal elections, where first-time voters must provide identification and proof of residency, ultimately leading to the rejection of Maya’s 2022 ballot.
The 2021 recall election aimed to remove California Governor Gavin Newsom from office and ultimately failed, with nearly 62% of voters opting to retain him. The California Elections Code requires that all registrations submit an affidavit, including the voter’s name, residence, mailing address, date of birth, party preference, and a certification of citizenship, signed under penalty of perjury.
Yourex is set to appear in Westminster Superior Court on September 9, 2025, for her arraignment. The investigation has raised questions about how a registered dog could cast a vote and what political party, if any, Yourex registered for her pet.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case has attracted attention regarding the implications of voter registration laws and the potential for exploiting loopholes within the system. Yourex has declined to comment on the charges against her.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times
- ABC7 News
- KTLA News
- USA Today
- Fox News
- Wikipedia: Voter Registration in the United States
- Google Search: Voter Registration Laws California
- Google Scholar: Voter Fraud California
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vote
- Google News: California Dog Voter 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.
