In the Republic of Adunato, only property owners can vote, and not just anyone can own property. Aristrocrats and the merchant class are able to own property, while peasants cannot. Men and women are legally equal in their ability to hold property, vote and run for public office, but that doesn't mean that all is fair and equal. Women aren't expected to own property, and the ones who do have generally inherited it from sonless fathers and husbands. As this is the case, women aren't encouraged to run for office.