Drop in the number of women candidates in the 2026 elections in the Ribeirão Preto region

The number of women candidates in the 2026 elections fell in the Ribeirão Preto (SP) region, compared to the 2022 election, according to data from the Superior Electoral Court (TSE).

Of the 46 candidates for federal deputy in the region, only nine are women, equivalent to around 20% of the total. Among the 88 candidates for state deputy, 32 are women, which represents approximately 36%.

Compared to the 2022 elections, there was a 7% drop in the number of female candidates for federal deputy and a 3% drop among those competing for the position of state deputy.

For Flávia Pérez, president of the Commission for Women Lawyers of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB), the low female representation in candidacies is the result of a historical issue.

"Women, in fact, are still seen as if they were not capable enough to hold positions and occupy spaces of power and so we have a low number of these candidates", he states.

Quotas for women in politics

Brazilian electoral legislation has provided for gender quotas for candidacies since 1995. Initially, the minimum percentage was 20%, but was increased to 30% in 1997. Currently, parties must reserve at least 30% of candidacies of each gender in proportional elections.

Flávia explains that, despite the legal provision, the minimum quota still represents a challenge in expanding female participation in politics.

"Since 1995, we have had a law that established a minimum percentage so that women had to be at least 20% of candidates for positions in elections. And, in 1997, this percentage changed to 30%. So, today we have this floor and which, in fact, is seen as a ceiling, this is the great difficulty", he says.

According to the lawyer, the requirement for a minimum percentage of candidacies does not guarantee that women will be able to occupy elected positions.

"This (law) guarantees that they will run for office, but not that they will be elected. So, we would need, perhaps, to think about quotas really for positions and not just for candidacies", he states.

Women make up the majority of the electorate in São Paulo

Despite the drop in the number of candidates in the region, women represent the majority of the electorate in the state of São Paulo. According to TSE data, they represent 53% of voters, while men represent 47%.

Psychologist Sofia de Paiva has been voting since she was 16, even before voting became mandatory for her. According to the psychologist, since her first experience at the polls, she felt that she could contribute to democracy.

"I remember that, when voting for mayor, I already felt important and relevant to democracy, to make a difference, even if just in my city. So, I felt like I belonged and really matched my values ​​and principles", he says.

Sofia also says she misses more women in politics and says that female representation is one of the aspects she considers when choosing her candidates.

"To be honest, I miss women in politics. I think there's a bit of a lack of representation as well. Even though the candidates present agendas on violence related to women, agendas for the female public, I believe that, if we had a woman, it would be very important for female representation", she states.