Overview

• Laura Lee Yourex, 62, of Costa Mesa, was charged with perjury, offering a false or forged document, registering a non‑existent person, and two counts of casting a ballot when not entitled to vote.
• The dog’s ballot was accepted in the 2021 gubernatorial recall but a 2022 primary ballot in the pet’s name was rejected under election rules for first‑time federal voters.
• Prosecutors say social‑media posts showed the dog with an “I voted” sticker in January 2022 and later a photo captioned “maya is still getting her ballot” in October 2024 after the dog had died.
• The Orange County Registrar of Voters alerted the district attorney on Oct. 28, 2024 after a self‑report, and investigators said they found sufficient evidence to file charges.
• An arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday, and prosecutors say Yourex faces up to six years in state prison if convicted.