Legal Definitions - disenfranchise

Disenfranchise

To disenfranchise someone means to take away a fundamental right or privilege they previously held, most commonly the right to vote in elections or participate in civic processes.

Here are some examples:

• Example 1: A new state law requires all citizens to present a government-issued photo ID with their current residential address to vote. For many elderly residents who no longer drive and low-income individuals who lack easy access to transportation or the necessary documents, obtaining such an ID becomes a significant hurdle. This law could effectively disenfranchise these groups by making it practically impossible for them to exercise their right to vote.

• Example 2: In some jurisdictions, individuals convicted of serious crimes, such as felonies, are permanently barred from serving on a jury, even after they have completed their sentences and reintegrated into society. This legal provision disenfranchises them from a key civic duty and privilege of citizenship.

• Example 3: Historically, certain groups of people were subjected to literacy tests or poll taxes as a prerequisite for voting. These measures were designed to prevent specific populations, such as racial minorities or the poor, from casting ballots. By imposing these impossible or prohibitive conditions, the authorities effectively disenfranchised large segments of the population from their voting rights.