Disenfranchisement

Quick Facts: Who was Disenfranchisement?

Subject:

Disenfranchisement

Known for:

The restriction or revocation of the right to vote or a legal privilege.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Disfranchisement, also disenfranchisement (which has become more common since 1982) or voter disqualification, is the restriction of suffrage (the right to vote) of a person or group of people, or a practice that has the effect of preventing someone from exercising the right to vote. Disfranchisement can also refer to the revocation of power or control of a particular individual, community, or being to the natural amenity they have; that is to deprive of a franchise, of a legal right, of some social privilege or inherent immunity. Disfranchisement may be accomplished explicitly by law or implicitly through requirements applied in a discriminatory fashion, through intimidation, or by placing unreasonable requirements on voters for registration or voting. High barriers to entry to the political competition can disenfranchise political movements. Women used to be disfranchised.

Career & Major Achievements

Feminism has successfully managed to claim voting rights in most countries, though material or social disfranchement continues widely. Most countries or regions set a minimum voting age, and only enfranchise citizens older than this age. The most common voting age is 18, though some countries have minimum voting ages set as young as 16 or as old as 21. Voting in Australia is compulsory for resident citizens. Australian citizens who have been outside Australia for more than one but fewer than six years may excuse themselves from the requirement to vote in Australian elections while they remain outside Australia.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Australian citizens living outside of Australia for more than six years automatically lose their right to vote, unless they re-register annually. Residency requirements for Canadian citizens were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2019. All Canadian citizens can vote in Canadian elections. Chileans living abroad may vote in presidential elections and presidential primaries, but not in elections to the national legislature or for regional government officials. The right to vote was extended to Chileans abroad in 2014 by Law No. 20.748; the bill was sponsored by Senators Isabel Allende Bussi, Soledad Alvear, Hernán Larraían Fernández and Patricio Walker Prieto.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1982: 1982 Milestone — Disfranchisement, also disenfranchisement (which has become more common since 1982) or voter disqualification, is the restriction of suffrage (the right to vote) of a person or group of people, or a practice that has the effect of preventing someone from exercising the right to vote.
2. 2014: 2014 Milestone — The right to vote was extended to Chileans abroad in 2014 by Law No.
3. 2019: 2019 Milestone — Residency requirements for Canadian citizens were ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2019.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Disenfranchisement

True or False: “Did Southern states successfully disenfranchise most black citizens through laws passed between 1890 and 1908?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Southern state legislatures enacted new constitutions and laws that made voter registration and voting significantly more difficult during this period.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• 1982 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament — Historical peer (Born in 1982) (1982): The 44th annual NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.
• Ahmed al-Sharaa — Historical peer (Born in 1982) (1982): Syrian statesman who led opposition forces, establishing the Syrian Salvation Government.
• Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi — Historical peer (Died in 2019) (2019): Iraqi militant leader and founder of the Islamic State (IS)
• Agnès Varda — Historical peer (Died in 2019) (2019): Pioneering French filmmaker, artist, and documentarian celebrated for her unique vision.
• 2014 League of Legends World Championship — Historical peer (Born in 2014) (2014): The 4th League of Legends World Championship, held in Asia in 2014.
• Adolfo Suárez — Historical peer (Died in 2014) (2014): Key architect of Spain's transition to democracy, serving as Prime Minister 1976-1981.

Frequently Asked Questions about Disenfranchisement