Sausage Democracy

How they do democracy down under:

When you show up to cast your vote in Australia, you can purchase a delicious sausage sandwich. Private groups run the stands to raise funds for their various organizations and sometimes offer other treats, like cake. Associated Press: No one’s sure who coined the term democracy sausage. But fundraising snacks have been served at Australia’s voting booths for close to a century, said Judith Brett, a professor of politics at Melbourne’s LaTrobe University and author of the book “From Secret Ballot to Democracy Sausage: How Australia Got Compulsory Voting.” What began with polling place bake sales in the 1920s became election day sausage sizzles in the 1980s with the invention of the portable barbeque grill. The democracy sausage’s success is partly because of how Australia votes. Elections always occur on Saturdays and are family affairs — voters arrive with their children and dogs. And turning up to vote is required by law, resulting in turnouts higher than 90% and ensuring a captive market for democracy sausage sales. My AI assistant at Grok describes the gastronomic delicacies: The Sausage: A grilled beef or pork sausage, usually a standard supermarket snag, cooked on a BBQ by volunteers. It’s not gourmet—think simple, slightly charred, and juicy. The Bread: A single slice of white sandwich bread, folded around the sausage. Sometimes you’ll get a soft bun instead, but the classic is basic sliced bread. No crusty artisan loaves here. The Sauce: Tomato sauce (ketchup to non-Aussies) is the go-to, squirted generously. Some stalls offer barbecue sauce or mustard, but tomato is king. The Onions: Grilled onions, soft and caramelized, piled on top. They’re optional but a crowd favorite. The Vibe: Handed over on a napkin or paper plate, often by a local school or community group raising funds. You eat it standing around, chatting about the election or the footy. ["Footy," I learned today, is Aussie slang for what they call football (soccer).]

Have some links with your vote, mate...