One piece of evidence is the record number of female candidates running for statewide office this year.

The political hopefuls say their inclusion is important not only for today's society, but also for women in the future.

"When we were growing up, there were very few role models for women in politics," said Lois Cohen, 55, the Democratic candidate for insurance commissioner. "That's why this is so important. We nurture those candidates coming behind us."

This year, Georgia's ballot includes nine women running for six of the 11 statewide offices: secretary of state, attorney general, school superintendent, commissioner of agriculture, commissioner of insurance and public service commissioner.

The group includes four Democrats, four Republicans and one Libertarian. But it wasn't too long ago that Georgia politics was dominated almost exclusively by men, said Charles Bullock, a professor of political science at the University of Georgia.

"You don't have to go back too far to find no women running statewide and almost no women legislators," he said.

Linda Schrenko became the first woman elected to a statewide office in 1994 when the Columbia County Republican won the first of her two terms as state school superintendent. She went on to run an unsuccessful campaign for governor earlier this year. Some candidates say the change was long overdue.

"It puts light on offices that have traditionally been held by men," said Kathy Cox, 37, this year's Republican candidate for school superintendent. "It's made it acceptable for women to hold these offices."

Although many female voters are happy to see other women on the ballot, some say gender won't be the sole reason for their vote.

Marie Huneycutt first voted in Savannah in 1950. The 76-year-old was born only seven years after women received the right to vote in 1919 and remembers a time when women were never on the ballots.

"When the first women began to run, it was weird. But I was happy about it," she said. "However, I won't vote for someone just because they're a woman. I vote for the best candidate."

Still, political strategists aren't taking any chances. Women in Georgia now make up nearly 55 percent of the voting population, and both major political parties have taken note.

"Women are going to be, along with seniors and veterans, one of the critical, deciding factors in this election," said Ralph Reed, the chairman of the Republican Party of Georgia. "That's why we have really focused on reaching women by mail, phone and other communications."

The Democratic Party of Georgia organized a fly-around for its four female statewide candidates, staging campaign rallies in Atlanta, Columbus, Macon and Savannah all in one day.

"No candidate on the ballot can be defeated or win without women," said Democrat Cathy Cox, 44, the incumbent secretary of state. She pointed out that a record 43 women are running for the Georgia House of Representatives, of which 23 are running unopposed.

There are 180 seats in the House. Among the state's 56 Senate races, there are 17 female candidates. Six of the candidates have no opposition.

WOMEN ON THE BALLOT:

A record number of female candidates from major parties are running for statewide office in Georgia this year.