nullification

[nuhl-uh-fi-key-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of nullifying.

2. the state of being nullified.

3. the failure or refusal of a U.S. state to aid in enforcement of federal laws within its limits, especially on Constitutional grounds.

nullification

1. The doctrine that states can set aside federal laws. Urged in the late 1820s by John C. Calhoun, nullification precipitated a crisis between Calhoun and President Andrew Jackson. The doctrine was foreshadowed by Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Kentucky Resolutions. (See Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions.)

Other Word Forms

• nullificationist noun
• nullificator noun
• nonnullification noun
• renullification noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of nullification¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Late Latin nūllificātiōn- (stem of nūllificātiō ) “contempt,” equivalent to nūllificāt(us) (past participle of nūllificāre “to despise, contemn”) + -iōn- -ion; nullify

Example Sentences

This is one reason they are embracing increasingly extreme anti-majoritarian policies such as voter nullification, voter suppression, radical gerrymandering and even rewriting the Constitution to end birthright citizenship.

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MAGA’s authoritarian tactics include voter nullification and voter suppression, intimidation of election officials, taking control of voting machines, and efforts to end mail-in voting.

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The decision drew criticism from Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, who called it “a state court judge’s hasty nullification.”

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Furthermore, they know that’s only one element of an authoritarian seizure of power, which demands, to quote Bill Curry again, “the nullification of our Constitution and the collapse of every institution our democracy runs on.”

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Their tactics include voter nullification, suppression, gerrymandering, lawsuits, dark money and even threats of violence.

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Related Words

• abolishment www.thesaurus.com
• abrogation 
• annulment 
• revocation