Costa Mesa woman charged after allegedly registering her dog to vote; prosecutors cite social media evidence
Costa Mesa, California (Times Media Service) – A Costa Mesa woman has been charged with five felonies for allegedly registering her dog to vote and casting mail‑in ballots in its name during the 2021 California gubernatorial recall and the 2022 primary, prosecutors said.
Key takeaways
- Defendant: Laura Lee Yourex, 62, of Costa Mesa, California
- Charges: Five felony counts — perjury; procuring/ offering a false or forged document to be filed; registering a non‑existent person to vote; and two counts of casting ballots when not entitled to vote
- Elections involved: 2021 California gubernatorial recall and the 2022 primary election
- Evidence: Social media posts showing the dog, Maya, with an “I voted” sticker and ballots addressed to Maya
- Court & penalty: Arraignment Sept. 9, 2025; up to six years in state prison if convicted on all counts
Details of the charges and timeline
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office filed five felony counts against Yourex in August 2025. Prosecutors allege she knowingly registered her dog, Maya, as a voter and cast vote‑by‑mail ballots in the dog’s name in two elections.
Allegations include: making false statements on voter registration forms and submitting ballots when not entitled to vote. The DA’s filing describes the conduct as a violation of California laws that protect voter roll integrity. For details, see the Orange County DA press release.
According to the DA’s office, a mail ballot cast in Maya’s name in 2021 was accepted and counted during the gubernatorial recall; a later 2022 ballot was rejected after officials could not verify residency and first‑time voter registration status. The DA and local reporting outline how officials reviewed the ballots and referred the matter for prosecution (CBS Los Angeles).
How the investigation began
Investigators say the case unfolded after Yourex contacted the Orange County Registrar of Voters in October 2024, telling staff she had registered her dog and that ballots were being mailed to the animal’s name. That disclosure prompted a formal review and referral to the DA’s office (CBS Los Angeles; KESQ).
Social media posts cited as evidence
Prosecutors point to social posts as key items in the review. Investigators located a January 2022 post showing Maya wearing an “I voted” sticker beside a voter’s ballot, and an October 2024 post showing a vote‑by‑mail envelope addressed to Maya. In that later post, Yourex wrote that “maya is still getting her ballot,” even though the DA’s office reports Maya had died before that time (CBS Los Angeles; KESQ).
“The social posts were among the items that supported criminal charges,” the DA’s office said, describing the alleged conduct as a breach of election laws meant to protect the integrity of voter rolls and ballots.
Prosecution and next steps
The DA’s office is prosecuting the case following a referral from the county Registrar of Voters. Yourex is scheduled for arraignment Sept. 9, 2025, at the Stephen K. Tamura West Justice Center in Westminster. If convicted on all five felony counts, she could face up to six years in state prison, according to the DA’s filing (Orange County DA; KESQ).
Defense statements were not immediately released. Court records and the DA’s press release provide the core details of the charges and schedule.
How election officials say ballots were handled
Local election officials told investigators the 2021 ballot in the dog’s name was accepted under the rules in place at that time. The 2022 ballot was rejected after staff could not verify residency or first‑time registration requirements. Officials note that mail ballots are processed in high volumes and that mismatches can trigger additional review, audits, or rejection (KESQ; ABC7).
Context: California election integrity and non‑human registrations
Cases of non‑human or fictitious registrations are uncommon, but officials warn they can erode public trust. The Orange County action highlights how public records and social media can help trace irregularities and support criminal referrals when evidence suggests intentional fraud (Orange County DA; Los Angeles Times).
California law makes it a crime to register a non‑existent person to vote or to cast a ballot when not entitled. These statutes are intended to protect voter roll accuracy and election fairness.
Implications for San Diego, California
Economic and administrative impact
San Diego County election officials may closely monitor the case. Similar incidents could increase administrative workload to audit voter rolls and verify registrations, raising short‑term costs for local election offices (Orange County DA).
Political consequences
For moderate voters, the case may revive debate over balancing voting access with safeguards against fraud. California reforms like mail ballots and same‑day registration reflect trade‑offs election officials weigh to protect access while preventing abuse (Los Angeles Times).
Social effects
High‑profile incidents can increase scrutiny of voter rolls and social posts claiming non‑human votes. Officials emphasize these events are rare and encourage clear communication to reassure the public (KESQ).
Practical steps for voters
San Diego residents who receive unexpected ballots or notices should contact the San Diego County Registrar of Voters to verify registration, check status online, and report suspicious mailings. These routine steps help keep rolls accurate and protect future elections (ABC7).
Reporting and investigation sources
- Orange County District Attorney press release
- CBS Los Angeles reporting
- KESQ reporting
- ABC7 reporting
- Los Angeles Times coverage
Note: This article preserves facts and source links reported by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and local news outlets cited above.
