News Summary
Laura Lee Yourex, a Costa Mesa resident, faces felony charges for allegedly registering her dog, Maya, to vote in two elections. She self-reported her actions, which included submitting ballots under her dog’s name during the 2021 gubernatorial recall and the 2022 primary elections. The case has raised concerns regarding voter registration integrity and process enforcement, attracting attention from the Department of Justice. If convicted, Yourex could face up to six years in prison.
Costa Mesa Woman Faces Felony Charges for Allegedly Registering Dog to Vote
Laura Lee Yourex, a 62-year-old resident of Costa Mesa, is facing serious legal consequences as she has been charged with multiple felony counts related to voter fraud. Specifically, she is accused of illegally registering her dog, Maya Jean Yourex, to vote and submitting ballots in the dog’s name during two significant elections: the 2021 gubernatorial recall election and the 2022 primary election.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has formally charged Yourex with five felony counts, which include:
- One count of perjury.
- One count of procuring or offering a false or forged document to be filed.
- One count of registering a nonexistent person to vote.
- Two counts of casting a ballot when not entitled to vote.
If Yourex is convicted on all counts, she could potentially face a prison sentence of up to six years.
Details of the Case
The case against Yourex came to light after she self-reported her actions to the Orange County Registrar of Voters in October 2022, following inquiries from a concerned resident. A subsequent investigation confirmed that she had cast an accepted ballot under her dog’s name during the 2021 election. However, her attempt to vote under the dog’s name in the 2022 primary election was challenged and ultimately rejected due to insufficient proof of residence and registration.
Evidence gathered in the investigation showed that Yourex posted a photograph on social media in January 2022, featuring her dog with an “I Voted” sticker alongside an illegal ballot. Additionally, in October 2024, she shared another picture of Maya’s dog tag along with a vote-by-mail ballot, captioning it “Maya is still getting her ballot,” even though the dog had since passed away.
The Elections in Question
The 2021 gubernatorial recall election was aimed at determining whether California Governor Gavin Newsom would be removed from office and saw a 61.9% majority voting against the recall. It was notable that California does not require proof of residence for participation in state elections, a legal loophole that allowed Yourex’s initial vote to be counted.
Concerns Over Voter Integrity
This incident has sparked alarm regarding the integrity of the voting process in Orange County. The Orange County Registrar of Voters has received inquiries from the Department of Justice concerning voter registrations and related records, indicating broader concerns about election safeguards. As questions arise about the validity of registered voters, this case highlights significant issues regarding enforcement of existing voting laws.
As the arraignment date approaches, the outcome of this case could have broader implications for voter registration processes and public confidence in the electoral system.
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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.
