California Woman Charged with Election Fraud for Voting Dog

A California woman has been charged with election fraud after allegedly registering her dog as a voter. Laura Lee Yuriex, 62, from Costa Mesa, is facing felony charges for submitting ballots on behalf of her deceased pet, Maya, during the 2021 gubernatorial election and the 2022 primary elections.

Prosecutors allege that Yuriex registered Maya to vote and mailed in her ballots. In a bizarre twist, she reportedly posted a photo in October 2024, showing Maya"s tag alongside a mail-in ballot with the caption, "Maya is still getting her ballot," despite the dog having passed away earlier.

The charges come amid heightened scrutiny of election integrity in the United States. Yuriex is now facing a maximum penalty of six years in prison if convicted. This case highlights ongoing concerns about the potential for voter fraud, a topic that has garnered significant attention in recent years, including recent developments surrounding electoral processes both domestically and internationally.

The Orange County District Attorney"s office is expected to provide further details as the case unfolds, raising questions about the safeguards in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.