American Woman Charged With Registering Her Dog to Vote

American Woman Charged With Registering Her Dog to Vote

A California woman is facing felony charges after prosecutors alleged she fraudulently registered her pet dog to vote and even boasted about it on social media.

Laura Yourex, 62, appeared in a Sacramento County court on Tuesday, where she was formally charged with election fraud and perjury.

If convicted, she could face up to six years in state prison.
According to court documents, Yourex first drew attention during California’s 2021 gubernatorial recall election when she posted a photograph on Facebook showing her dog, Maya Jean, wearing an “I Voted” sticker. Investigators say the post sparked suspicion, prompting election officials to review voter registration records.

Further scrutiny revealed that Yourex had submitted voter registration information under her dog’s name and later received mail-in ballots addressed to Maya Jean.

Prosecutors say she continued the deception even after the pet had died.

In October 2024, Yourex allegedly posted another photo online showing Maya’s old dog tag next to a mail-in ballot, captioned: “Maya is still getting her ballot.”
Authorities stressed that no fraudulent votes were actually counted, but election officials emphasized the seriousness of the case.

“Even small acts of election fraud undermine public trust in our voting system,” Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert said in a statement.

“This was not a harmless prank it was a deliberate attempt to abuse the process.”

Yourex was released on bail pending trial. She has not entered a plea, and her attorney declined to comment on the case.

The incident comes at a time when concerns over election integrity remain politically charged in the United States, with officials frequently battling misinformation about voter fraud.

While proven cases of individuals attempting to cheat the system are rare, prosecutors say the case highlights the need for vigilance.