Attorneys on Tuesday morning spoke out on behalf of an Orange County woman accused of registering her dog to vote and illegally casting ballots on the canine’s behalf in two elections.

Flanked by the two attorneys, Laura Lee Yourex, did not speak to the media during a news conference outside a Westminster courthouse after her scheduled arraignment was postponed.

“Ms. Yourex was released on her own recognizance,” her attorney told reporters. “She’s never been in trouble with the law before. This is her first time in the criminal courts.”

He then read from a previously prepared statement.

“Laura Yourex sincerely regrets her unwise attempt to expose flaws in our state voting system, intending to improve it by demonstrating that even a dog can be registered to vote,” the statement said.

Yourex, 62, is accused of illegally casting ballots in her dog’s name in the 2021 gubernatorial recall election and 2022 primary election, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

Yourex allegedly informed the Orange County Registrar of Voters in October that she had registered her dog, Maya Jean Yourex, to vote, prosecutors said.

The 2022 primary ballot cast in the dog’s name was challenged and rejected because proof of residence and registration required for first-time voters was not shown, the DA’s office said.

Prosecutors allege that Yourex even posted a photo on social media of her dog in January 2022 with an “I voted” sticker.

She also allegedly posted, in October 2024, a photograph of a vote-by- mail ballot with the caption “Maya is still getting her ballot,” despite the dog dying, prosecutors said.

Yourex was charged Aug. 28 with single counts of perjury, procuring or offering a false or forged document to be filed and knowing registration of nonexistent person to vote, plus two counts of not being entitled to vote in an election, all felonies.

She faces up to six years in prison if convicted on all counts. Her arraignment was rescheduled to Dec. 10. (ABC News, excluding headline)

•Laura Lee Yourex allegedly informed the Orange County Registrar of Voters in October that she had registered her dog, Maya Jean Yourex

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