The influence of term limits on the electoral success of women

Several recent studies have suggested that legislative term limits enhance women candidates' electoral opportunities. This article examines this and other related speculations utilizing evidence from the California State Assembly, the first and at present only legislative body to experience the complete impact of term limitation. This investigation reveals that while term limits during their initial implementation in California appeared to accelerate the movement of women into legislative seats, this may have been the result of reapportionment or political factors. After an initial surge in the number of women in the California Assembly, the total number began to decline even though term limits were still impending. This suggests that term limits can only have a positive influence on the electoral fortunes of women candidates if a conducive political environment is present. Moreover, if a large number of women are already incumbents, the influence of term limits on the aggregate number of women in a legislature can be negative.