According to one disclosed embodiment, a content-addressable memory (CAM) system configured for reduced power consumption includes a sensing circuit utilized to apply a sense voltage to a matchline of the CAM system, a valid bit cell coupled to the matchline, and a power cut-off circuit configured to isolate the sense voltage from the matchline when an invalid validity state is stored in the valid bit cell, thereby reducing power consumption by the CAM system. In one embodiment, the power cut-off circuit isolates the sense voltage from the matchline by decoupling the sensing circuit from a control signal when an invalid validity state is stored in the valid bit cell.