New humiliation for California dog mom who registered her pet Boxer to vote

A California dog mom has escaped a potential six-year prison sentence for registering her Boxer to vote, but her four-legged election accomplice isn’t getting off scot-free.The pup’s mug is going up on anti-voter fraud billboards across Orange County.Laura Lee Yourex, 64, of Costa Mesa, had her case tossed Monday after completing a plea deal that required her to cough up $1,500 for four billboards featuring her late dog, Maya Jean, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.

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Never miss a story The message plastered along the 55 and 22 freeways leaves little room for interpretation.“Don’t be a dog.

Voter Fraud is a Crime.If you can’t legally vote, don’t vote.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will prosecute.”Yourex was hit with five felony charges in September 2025 after registering Maya Jean to vote and submitting ballots in the dog’s name during the 2021 gubernatorial recall election and the 2022 primary.But a plea deal dramatically cut her legal exposure, with prosecutors dropping four felonies after she admitted to one misdemeanor count of knowingly registering a nonexistent person to vote.She pleaded guilty April 10 and saw her case dismissed Oct.13 after completing the agreement.The bizarre scheme came with a digital paper trail.

Yourex posted a photo in January 2022 showing Maya Jean sporting an “I voted” sticker and posing with a ballot.Then, in October 2024, she shared a picture of the dog’s tag alongside another mail-in ballot with the caption “maya is still getting her ballot” even though the pooch had already died.The Orange County Registrar of Voters alerted prosecutors after Yourex reported registering her dog and casting ballots in its name.

An investigation followed, leading...