As Australia heads to polls, a look at ‘democracy sausages' and how it became tradition
As Australia heads to the polls today, it's not uncommon to see voters walking away from polling booths not just with inked fingers, but with sausages wrapped in white bread with onions and a dash of sauce. Called as the 'democracy sausage', this election day snack has become a fixture at polling places across the country.
As voters queue up to cast their ballots, these sausages are served outside polling places, which are typically schools and community halls. During the 2022 federal election, sausage sizzles at polling stations raised an estimated AUD 4.1 million according to ABC News.
A volunteer cooks sausages on a BBQ outside a polling booth at Sydney's Bondi Beach. (AP Photo)
Let's find out more about the democracy sausage and why Australians are in love with it.
Political identity or a joke?
The democracy sausage has become a symbol of Australian identity. Voters often post photos with the hashtag #democracysausage. The ritual extends beyond Australia's borders, with Australians living abroad enjoying the tradition at embassies in cities like New York, Tokyo, and Nairobi, as well as in Antarctica.
Political historian Judith Brett, author of From Secret Ballot to Democracy Sausage: How Australia Got Compulsory Voting, says the sausage appeals to the Australian sense of humour. 'Government didn't think it up, a political party didn't think it up as a slogan.'
A man squirts sauce on his 'Democracy Sausage' at the Marrickville Public School in Sydney. (AP Photo)
Websites to track sausages
For decades, the tradition has transformed elections into gatherings, often helping to raise funds for local initiatives.
What began as a small fundraising effort in the 1940s, blossomed into a nationwide phenomenon, gaining momentum in the 1980s when portable barbecues became more accessible. However, it was only in 2010 and onwards that the term 'democracy sausage' became more recognised.
Websites like SnagVotes and democracysausage.org started mapping polling places to let voters know where to find a sausage while fulfilling their civic duties.
A volunteer hands a customer a sausage in a bread roll outside a polling booth. (AP Photo)
Alex Dawson, co-founder of democracysausage.org, explains that the site was created in 2013 to help voters find these sizzles and make the most of their voting experience. 'It's something that binds everyone together,' said Dawson according to AP.
Dawson's website tracks more than 2,000 polling locations across the country, offering details on food options, including halal, gluten-free, and vegan sausages. This year, the site also listed cakes, coffee, and burgers in some areas.
Uber Eats stealing the sausage-spirit?
This year, the tradition took a commercial turn when Uber Eats announced it would deliver 'democracy sausages' in selected areas of Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne.
In a bid to make the sausage sizzle more accessible, Uber Eats teamed up with marketing company Maverick to offer sausages for AUD 11.60 according to The Guardian, which included delivery charges. From each sausage sold, AUD 3.50 went to charity, with the goal of raising up to AUD 10,500 for Red Cross partners.
A worker hands a man a 'Democracy Sausage' at the Marrickville Public School in Sydney. (AP Photo)
Despite the good cause, critics argued that the involvement of a corporate giant like Uber Eats undermined the community spirit of the tradition. 'That is so unAustralian,' one Facebook user commented as per The Guardian. Another said, 'It's a tone-deaf publicity stunt.'
Uber Eats defended the initiative, with Managing Director Ed Kitchen stating that the company wanted to ensure more Australians could access the tradition, given that not all polling stations feature a sausage sizzle. 'For those of you able to make use of a local sausage sizzle, I strongly encourage you to support the community fundraising efforts first and foremost,' he said.
Not just sausages—also swim briefs!
At some polling stations, particularly in coastal areas like Bondi, voters have been known to show up in 'budgy smugglers' — tight-fitting swim briefs worn after a morning swim. In fact, one swimwear brand even offered free pairs to the first 200 voters who arrived in them, according to Reuters.
People queue outside at a polling booth at Sydney's Bondi Beach. (AP Photo)
'It's a little bit revealing and may be confronting for some of your viewers. But a lot people here come out of the water and come and vote. I think it's a nice statement of Australian democracy,' said one voter from Bondi.
In Australia, voting is compulsory, and failure to vote without valid reason results in a payable fine. The democracy sausage, while being a simple snack, represents a shared moment of community, a chance to connect with neighbours, support local initiatives, and — in true Australian fashion — enjoy a bit of humour while participating in the democratic process.
One swimwear brand even offered free 'budgy smugglers' to the first 200 voters who arrived in them. (AP Photo)
'People said vote early but we wanted to come and get a democracy sausage,' said one voter as per Reuters. 'The perfect democracy sausage is one that's available,' said another voter in Melbourne.
Preliminary counting of the election results begins immediately after polls close tonight. While unofficial results are often clear by the evening, official certification can take days or weeks due to hand-counting of nearly 18 million ballots—including postal and overseas votes.
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