disenfranchisement

[ dis-en-fran-chahyz-muhnt, -chiz- ]

noun

1. the act of depriving a person of the rights or privileges of a citizen, especially the right to vote:

   Opponents claim that these changes to the voting registration laws will result in massive voter disenfranchisement, especially among minorities, seniors, and youth.

2. the act of depriving a person of the rights or privileges of full participation in any community or organization, especially of the opportunity to influence policy or make one’s voice heard:

   The disenfranchisement of women at the household level, with male control over household funds, has contributed to the devaluation of women's labor.

3. the act of depriving a person of a legal or commercial franchise:

   Persistent violations of the contract will result in the disenfranchisement of the franchisee.

Word History and Origins

Origin of disenfranchisement¹

First recorded in 1715–25; disenfranchise ( def ) + -ment ( def )

Example Sentences

A lot of states don’t have these “fail safes in the system to protect voters and ensure that we have a minimal amount of disenfranchisement,” Alexander said.

From Los Angeles Times

“Our lack of trees is not an accident or coincidence. It is a result of historic patterns of discrimination, disenfranchisement and racist planning practices,” one South L.A. community leader said.

From Los Angeles Times

Its mission grew from finding creative solutions to poverty and political disenfranchisement in the U.S. to funding humanitarian and human rights projects around the world.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump’s home state of Florida defers to other states’ disenfranchisement rules for residents convicted of out-of-state felonies.

From Seattle Times

Vote suppression and disenfranchisement are no longer enough.

From Salon