Prosecutors allege the individual voted using her dog’s name on two occasions.
The Orange County Attorney General’s Office reported on Friday that a California woman faces charges for registering her dog to vote and casting ballots in the animal’s name across two elections.
Prosecutors stated that Laura Lee Yourex “self-reported” her conduct in 2024 and is currently charged with five felonies. Should she be found guilty on all counts, she could face up to six years of imprisonment.
The statement detailed that Yourex submitted a mail-in ballot in her dog’s name, Maya Jean Yourex, for the 2021 gubernatorial recall election, and this vote was counted. She made another attempt during the 2022 primary election, but that particular ballot was rejected.
In 2022, Yourex allegedly shared a picture on social media of Maya wearing an “I voted” sticker. Prosecutors further stated that two years afterward, she posted another image displaying the dog’s tag next to a ballot, accompanied by the caption “maya is still getting her ballot,” despite the animal having already passed away.
Residents of California are not obliged to show identification to register or cast a ballot in state elections; however, ID is a requirement for those voting for the first time in federal elections.
US President Donald Trump has frequently contended that mail-in voting contributes to election fraud and has committed to outlawing the method before the 2026 midterms. California is included among 19 states that are challenging his executive order in court, an order designed to enforce stricter identification requirements and curtail the counting of mail-in ballots.