REUTERS/Tita Barros.
(Sacramento, California) – A California woman was arrested in 2021 after authorities say she illegally registered her dog to vote and cast ballots in the animal’s name.
According to Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, Laura Lee Yourex of Costa Mesa was charged after allegedly submitting voter registration information for her dog and participating in an election under the animal’s identity.
Officials said a ballot cast in the dog’s name was counted in the 2021 recall election of California Governor Gavin Newsom. However, authorities noted that a subsequent ballot tied to the same registration was rejected during the 2022 primary election.
The case quickly became a flashpoint in ongoing debates over election security and voter verification laws in California.
Shirley Sounds Alarm on Voter ID
Political commentator Nick Shirley weighed in on the case, arguing it highlights broader vulnerabilities in the state’s election system.
“Without any voter ID and negligence from the state government to update their voter rolls, California’s one-party state has created a complex system where fraud is inevitable in their voting process,” Shirley said.
He also released video detailing his findings, claiming the case demonstrates how easily voter registration safeguards can be bypassed.
The incident continues to fuel discussion over voter ID requirements, voter roll maintenance, and election integrity across the state.
