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Voting Rights Restoration for Lanterman Clients That Are Conserved


Senate Bill 589, became effective as a new law on January 1, 2016, and indicates that an individual under conservatorship who has lost his or her right to vote can have their right to vote restored. Courts are implementing the new law during the biennial visits by the probate investigator.

When the probate investigator conducts a biennial visit, clients will be asked whether they want to vote and they have three choices: "I want to vote," "I don't want to vote," or unable to answer. If it is "I want to vote," the court will be notified and the right will be returned. The court will also notify the county registrar of voters. Please note, that for new petitions, the petition has been changed to address the issue of voting rights.

For clients who are conserved and want to vote in the election on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, they need to notify the probate court and register to vote before October 24, 2016. Clients can inform the probate court with a simple letter to the presiding judge indicating "I want to vote." The letter should include the probate court's conservatorship case number. Once the written statement is received by the court and is verified, the court will enter an order to restore the individual's voting rights and provide notification to the county registrar of voters. Once rights are restored, the client should contact the registrar of voters to complete their voter registration.
 
The address and phone number for the Los Angeles County Probate Court is:
Stanley Mosk Courthouse
111 North Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213.830.0850

To vote in the November elections, the above steps must be completed by Monday, October 24, 2016.