Implementation of the quota system in the context of women’s places on electoral lists. Elections to the Regional Council of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship

The article discusses the problem of implementing a quota system in placing gender representatives on electoral lists in local government elections. The research covers elections to the Regional Council (Sejmik) of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in years 2010, 2014 and 2018. The following research questions were posed: Was the number of women on the lists of individual committees greater than the statutory requirements? What places did women take on these lists? Which places on the lists allowed women to win tickets? The research focus concerns electoral committees that participated in the distribution of seats. After the introduction of quotas, the number of women on electoral lists has increased. The percentage of women on the lists was higher than the assumed amount. The representation of women was delivered in accordance with the requirements of the ordinance, but no attempt was made to provide such representation within particular places. The percentage of women taking the first places on the lists was actually smaller than the accepted amount. The increase in number and proportion of women present on electoral lists has not contributed to the increase of representation of women in the Regional Council. In the elections using the quota system, the number of elected women has been lower than expected.