Ruff Times Ahead for Orange County Pet Voters

The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a measure that requires the Orange County Registrar of Voters to investigate whether its enlistees consist of any pets.

The initiative was proposed following criminal charges that were brought against a woman who allegedly cast ballots in two elections after registering her dog to vote.

“The fact that a dog was registered and voted in two elections here in Orange County proves just how vulnerable our system is and why we need Voter identification laws in California,” Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner said.

The issue is especially relevant given that Californians will vote on Prop. 50, also known as the Election Rigging Response Act, on Nov. 4. The statewide special election will determine whether newly drawn Congressional District maps will be implemented.

Registrar of Voters Bob Page was informed of the unlawful incident last year.

Based on the approved measure, Page is directed to obtain license information on all Orange County dogs to compare with voter rolls and look for licenses that may match the names and addresses of their potential owners.

“Former Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates reported to me that a voter told him that her dog Maya had received a ballot for the 2024 General Election,” Page told OrangeCountyLawyers.com. “We referred this information to the District Attorney for investigation.”

Page was also directed to mail a letter to the more than 2,600 Orange County voters who lack a drivers license or social security number, which is required in federal elections.

“How can we have a fair election if we can stuff the ballot box with dogs,” Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen said. “I want to make sure heading into the election that we all have confidence in it.”

Laura Lee Yourex of Costa Mesa is accused of illegally registering her dog to vote and casting election ballots in the dog’s name in the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election and the 2022 primary election.

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Felony Charges Filed for Perjury, Forgery and Registering Non-Existent Person to Vote

The 62-year-old was charged with one felony count of perjury, one felony count of procuring or offering a false or forged document to be filed, two felony counts of casting a ballot when not entitled to vote, and one felony count of registering a non-existent person to vote, according to an Orange County District Attorney press release.

Although the pet dog’s vote was successfully counted in the 2021 gubernatorial recall election, it was rejected in the 2022 primary.

“The Registrar of Voters takes allegations of voter fraud very seriously,” Page added. “If we learn that someone has submitted a fictitious voter registration affidavit using the name of their pet, we will refer the matter to the Orange County District Attorney for investigation and possible prosecution for voter fraud.”

On her social media in January 2022, Yourex reportedly posted a photo of her dog with a ballot while wearing an ‘I voted’ sticker. Another October 2024 post shows a photograph of the dog’s tag and a vote-by-mail ballot with the caption “Maya is still getting her ballot” even though the dog had previously passed away.

Photo Credit:
Header image of voting dog created by Google ImageFX
Image of Bob Page courtesy LinkedIn profile