DISENFRANCHISEMENT

disenfranchisement (dis-[schwa]n-fran-chiz-m[schwa]nt or -fran-chIz-m[ schwa]nt). 1. The act of depriving a member of a corporation or other organization of a right, as by expulsion. 2. The act of taking away the right to vote in public elections from a citizen or class of citizens. — Also termed disfranchisement. [Cases: Elections 87. C.J.S. Elections § 32.]