Payam Javan: A 62-year-old Costa Mesa woman has been charged with multiple felonies after allegedly registering her deceased dog to vote and submitting ballots in its name. According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Laura Lee Yourex registered her late pet, Maya Jean Yourex, and cast mail-in ballots in two California elections. Authorities said the ballot in the 2021 gubernatorial recall was counted, while the ballot in the 2022 primary was rejected.

Prosecutors have filed five felony counts against Yourex, including perjury, registering a non-existent person to vote, offering a false or forged document, and two counts of casting a ballot when not entitled to vote. She is scheduled for arraignment on September 9 and faces up to six years in state prison if convicted. The investigation began after the District Attorney’s Office received a self-report from Yourex in October 2024.

Officials highlighted that Yourex had posted about the scheme on social media, including photos of her dog with an “I Voted” sticker and another showing a ballot addressed to Maya after the dog’s death. California election law requires voters to sign an affidavit affirming citizenship under penalty of perjury, but does not mandate proof of residence for state elections. Authorities did not disclose which candidate was chosen in the fraudulent ballots.