Only in California could this happen: a 62-year-old Costa Mesa woman has been charged with five felonies after successfully registering her dog to vote — and even managing to cast ballots in its name.
According to the Orange County District Attorney’s office, Laura Lee Yourex signed up her dog, Maya Jean Yourex, as a voter and submitted mail-in ballots during the 2021 recall election of Gov. Gavin Newsom and again in the 2022 primary election. One ballot was accepted and counted; the other was flagged and rejected.
The case might have slipped under the radar entirely had Yourex not ratted herself out. She contacted the Registrar of Voters to admit what she had done — and even posted about it on social media. One photo showed Maya Jean sporting an “I Voted” sticker.
Another, shared in 2024, showed the dog’s tag alongside a ballot envelope with the caption: “Maya is still getting her ballot” — despite the dog having passed away.
And yet…Orange County refused to provide @CivilRights with voter registration records they are required to produce on demand. We had to sue! What next, someone’s pet llama 🦙 or support peacock 🦚 on the rolls?! We will find the whole darn menagerie by the time we are done!🤨 https://t.co/4e4MbTGqWu
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) September 6, 2025
Yourex now faces arraignment on two counts of casting a ballot when not entitled to vote, plus perjury, filing a false document, and registering a non-existent person. Conviction on all charges could land her in prison for six years.
But while the story has its comic elements (what breed was Maya Jean, and who did she “vote” for in the recall?), it exposes a very real problem with California’s elections.
In municipal and statewide contests, voters don’t need to show identification or proof of residency. Only in federal races do first-time voters have to provide documentation. That loophole allowed a ballot in a dog’s name to be accepted in 2021 without challenge.
Now the fallout has reached beyond one woman’s stunt. Civil Rights Division Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon is reviewing California’s voter rolls, citing chronic irregularities. Her office has requested Orange County’s records — but county officials refused, prompting a federal lawsuit. Taxpayers will now be on the hook for the legal battle.
