The democracy sausage, a grilled sausage in bread sold at polling places, symbolizes Australian electoral participation. This tradition serves not only as a fundraising source for community groups but also as a unique cultural marker for citizens and tourists alike. A bipartisan website tracks these snack offerings, ensuring that voters know where to find them on election day. Despite speculations about early voting impacting sales, the sausage tradition remains robust, offering a slice of Australian culture to all.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — As Australians headed to polling places this past Saturday, many indulged in a tradition that stands as a cultural staple: the democracy sausage. This unique snack, grilled and nestled in white bread, often garnished with onions and ketchup, has become almost as significant as the act of voting itself. In fact, it serves as a lighthearted yet meaningful symbol of electoral participation in Australia.
When these sausages come into play at polling places during elections, they take on a special significance. This playful term has even been humorously noted on a website that tracks where democracy sausages can be found on voting day—”It’s practically part of the Australian Constitution.” That said, the tradition transcends politics; these sales are crucial fundraising events for school and community groups, generating essential income each election year.
All across Australia, from cities to remote locations, democracy sausages were grilling at polling places. This year’s elections saw them served even at Australian embassies in places like New York, Riyadh, Nairobi, and Tokyo, not to mention Antarctica. It is a widespread phenomenon that showcases a unique Australian flavor on a vital civic day.
A key player in this phenomenon is democracysausage.org. Founded in 2013 by a group of friends struggling to find this tasty information during elections, the site has grown tremendously, now including resources about dietary options like gluten-free, vegan, and halal sausages. Alex Dawson, one of the website’s spokespersons, explained, “We’ll usually rope in a few friends to keep an eye on incoming submissions about either stalls that we don’t already know about.” On recent elections, they even managed to record 2,200 out of 7,000 polling places serving the beloved snacks. Last year alone, these stalls raked in a whopping $4.1 million AUD in profits.
Interestingly enough, the origin of the term “democracy sausage” remains a mystery. However, Judith Brett, a political professor at Melbourne’s LaTrobe University, notes that fundraising snacks have been a fixture at polling stations for nearly a century. From bake sales in the 1920s to sausage sizzling in the 1980s, this culinary staple has evolved significantly. Australian voting laws mandate elections on Saturdays—making it a family-friendly affair—and achieve impressive turnout rates over 90%.
Brett emphasizes the sausage’s grassroots nature, stating, “Government didn’t think it up, a political party didn’t think it up as a slogan.” It resonates with Australians’ sense of humor and has become an element that unites them. In fact, in 2016, the term was declared the Australian National Dictionary Centre’s Word of the Year.
Some politicians have also used the sausage as a way to appear relatable, sharing humorous images of themselves enjoying the snacks. This aspect connects with younger voters, bridging the gap between social media culture and civic duty. However, as early voting trends emerge, some are speculating about the future of the democracy sausage. With over 4 million Australians voting before the official day, will the sausage tradition fade?
Dawson reassures, “We’ve heard reports of people… that will go along to election days just to get the sausages.” The democracy sausage endures as a beloved piece of Australian culture that tourists and locals alike can cherish, adding an extra layer to the electoral experience.
In summary, the democracy sausage has become an integral part of the Australian election experience. Emerging from humble fundraising origins, it now serves as a symbol of civic engagement and cultural identity. With robust participation across various polling places and adaptability to societal changes, this tradition remains a cherished fixture. Whether politicians use it as fodder for connection or community groups raise vital funds, the democracy sausage continues to hold a special place in Australia’s civic life.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
