In Wellington, New Zealand, Australians participating in their civic duty at polling stations on Saturday enjoyed a unique cultural tradition: the democracy sausage. This practice is as iconic as koalas and Vegemite for Australians and is often deemed as essential as voting itself. The democracy sausage consists of a grilled sausage wrapped in white bread, often garnished with onions and ketchup, and has become a staple of public life in the Antipodean region. On election day, this beloved treat is elevated to a patriotic symbol of electoral engagement, celebrated with light-hearted enthusiasm by many voters.
Interestingly, the tradition transcends political affiliations and serves as a significant fundraising opportunity for school and community groups. Democracy sausages can be found at all voting locations across the nation. In the lead-up to Saturday’s ballot, they were even present at international polling venues, including Australian embassies in cities such as New York, Riyadh, Nairobi, and Tokyo, and notably, at a research station in Antarctica.
In an effort to keep voters informed, a group of friends launched the nonpartisan website democracysausage.org in 2013. The idea was born from the founders’ difficulty in locating polling stations offering snacks on election day. Alex Dawson, a spokesperson for the project, explained how the site has become a comprehensive resource for identifying polling locations with gluten-free, vegan, and halal sausage options, alongside other treats like cake and coffee. On election days, the team stays active, bringing in additional help to track submissions about food stalls and to note if any location runs out of sausages. Naturally, the volunteers ensure they also cast their votes and savor a democracy sausage themselves.
During the 2022 election, the website documented 2,200 out of Australia’s 7,000 polling stations serving democracy sausages or similar snacks. Expecting similar, if not greater, participation for the current election day, Dawson noted these ventures generated 4.1 million Australian dollars (US $2.6 million) in profits, a substantial figure reflecting the appeal of this tradition.
Though the origins of the term “democracy sausage” are uncertain, the practice of selling refreshments at polling stations has a long history, starting with bake sales in the 1920s and evolving into sausage sizzles in the 1980s with portable BBQ grills. According to Judith Brett of LaTrobe University, the success of the democracy sausage is linked closely to Australia’s voting culture, where elections occur on Saturdays, and voting is mandatory. This guarantees high voter turnout, often above 90%, ensuring a steady market for community fundraisers.
Brett suggests the tradition’s charm lies in its grassroots nature and the sense of humor embraced by Australians. The democracy sausage wasn’t conceived by governmental or political entities but organically arose from the community’s ingenuity. In 2016, “democracy sausage” was recognized as the word of the year by the Australian National Dictionary Centre, highlighting its cultural significance.
The democracy sausage also holds political relevance; consuming one allows politicians to demonstrate relatability by partaking in this humble, yet cherished, custom. Although capturing politicians in less-than-graceful moments while enjoying their sausages has become a source of amusement, it connects the younger, social-media-savvy generation with the civic essence of election day.
While some commentators worry that early voting might diminish the tradition, with over 4 million Australians voting before election day, Dawson remains optimistic. He notes that early voters often still visit polling places to partake in the democracy sausage experience. Stories of international tourists and foreign students attending election days just for the sausages emphasize the resonant charm and cultural exportability of this simple Australian tradition.