A 62-year-old woman from Costa Mesa, California, has been charged with multiple felonies after registering her dog, “Maya Jean Yourex,” to vote and casting mail-in ballots in its name during the 2021 gubernatorial recall election and the 2022 primary. Laura Lee Yourex faces six felony charges, including perjury, fraud, and illegally casting ballots.
Orange County District Attorney’s Office officials confirmed that Maya Jean Yourex’s ballot was accepted in the 2021 recall of Governor Gavin Newsom but rejected in the 2022 primary. The dog’s name was used to submit mail-in ballots, with Yourex posting social media photos of her pet wearing an “I voted” sticker and a ballot. Despite Maya Jean Yourex’s death, Yourex continued to claim the dog received ballots, as evidenced by a 2024 post showing a photo of the dog’s tag alongside a vote-by-mail ballot.
California law requires voters to submit an Affidavit of Registration with their name, address, and citizenship certification. While no proof of residence is needed for state elections, first-time voters must provide documentation for federal contests. The DA’s office stated that Yourex’s actions constituted fraudulent registration and ballot casting. She is scheduled to be arraigned on September 9, 2025, with a potential six-year prison sentence if convicted.
The case has sparked public debate over election integrity, with critics highlighting the vulnerabilities of mail-in voting systems. Some have questioned how many other individuals, including deceased persons or non-citizens, might be improperly registered. The incident underscores concerns about the need for stricter voter roll verification and election security measures.