63-year-old California woman brags about registering her dog to vote on social media now facing a potentially ruff 6-year sentence: 'Had she not tried to vote in the federal [ballot] her dog would still be happily voting'

This story wandered out of a dog park and straight into a courtroom! Laura Lee Yourex got into some woofing legal trouble after letting her pup get a little too involved in democracy.

We're all for teaching your dog new tricks, but this isn't one of them. Laura Lee Yourex admitted to registering her boxer, Maya, as a voter in Costa Mesa and even sending in ballots under the good girl's name. Yes, actual ballots. Maya may have been loyal, lovable, and likely a 10/10 at fetch, but unfortunately, not eligible to vote.

Maya actually "submitted" a vote earlier in 2022, and wasn't caught. So why was she caught this time? Because Maya, as dashing as she may be, did not have an ID to present with her vote, which is required under California law when submitting a federal ballot. That, combined with a bragging post on social media showing Maya as the proudest doggo in the dog park with her "I voted" sticker, was enough evidence for the authorities to charge her and suggest a 6-year sentence. To be fair, they didn't have a "no paws allowed" sign, so how was she to know she was doing something wrong? If you can't tell, we're being sarcastic.

You're free to teach your dog to roll over, wipe their paws before entering your home, and even sing the national anthem, but voting is not one of them.

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California woman accused of registering dog to vote tried to make a point

via Gorkemography

Stylish Yorkshire Terrier in Cafe with Owner
Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.
Yourex said that her reasoning for doing this was to prove a flaw in the system, and she wasn't wrong. She was able to successfully cast a vote for her dog, at least in one year. Do you think that she was justified in doing this to prove a point? Will any change actually happen if you don't break a few rules first? We guess that all depends on your point of view.
At first, the situation was pretty serious (we’re talking multiple felony charges), but after a recent plea deal, her charges have been dialed down to a misdemeanor. Still, it’s safe to say this is one case where the awwdorable “good girl” defense didn't hold up in court. It would have in our courtroom, though.
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via danielmegias

Boxer dog walking with owner in park
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Darkendone
"Let me make it clear to you. She was caught ONLY because she tried to get her dog to vote in a FEDERAL primary. Federal law requires proof of residency and ID for first-time voters, which she was clearly unable to provide for her dog. That is why the Feds are the ones prosecuting her, and why her attempt to vote in the primary was unsuccessful. The fact that she had her dog vote in the state [ballot] was only discovered as part of the investigation.
She was able to have her dog successfully vote in California just fine. No proof of residence or ID is required in California state [ballot]. Had she not tried to vote in the federal [ballot] her dog would still be happily voting."
Some people claim that it was a publicity stunt and she shouldn't be charged for it, but if that's the case, where do we draw the line? Are we going to allow burglars to break into jewelry stores just so they can prove that there's a flaw in the security system? A crime is a crime, no matter the intentions behind it. If she had really wanted to only prove the flaw in the system, she would have submitted the vote, then went to the news and openly admitted what she did, how she did it, and how it should be fixed within the system itself.
The criminal system doesn't look too kindly on vigilante justice, even in the face of an oppressive and broken system. Batman was able to escape it because he was a billionaire (and a comic book character), but for the average Joe, the system is not so forgiving. You can't expect to get off with just a slap on the wrist for something like this.
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via Element5 Digital from Pexels

Person Dropping Paper On Box
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“Another ballot was mailed in Maya’s name in October 2024, though the dog had recently [passed away], prosecutors said. Yourex posted a photo of the ballot and the boxer’s dog tags with a caption that read, “maya is still getting her ballot,” according to prosecutors.”
-Andrew J. Campa
People don't realize how easy it is to find evidence of something you posted online, even if it was years ago. For all of us who grew up with Facebook and Instagram, think of how many pictures you uploaded in your teenage years. Every photo you upload is more or less visible to the public, if you haven't adjusted your privacy preferences. And even if you have, nothing online is safe forever. If hackers can find and upload the entire Avatar: The Last Airbender movie that was being developed for years by hacking into someone's email, your “private” Facebook pictures certainly aren't safe.
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via spxChrome

"Vote" pin button on an American flag
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