As Australians headed to the polls in a tightly contested election, many tucked into a meaty treat in what has become an unusual tradition.
“Democracy sausages” – hot dogs served at polling stations – have become such an institution that the official hashtag for this year’s election featured a slice of white bread topped with a sausage and tomato sauce.
Several voters and MPs shared pictures of themselves enjoying the snack as they arrived to cast their votes.
According to @DemSausage, a Twitter account devoted to tracking the locations of democracy sausage stands, there were 2,215 booths across the country – meaning 4.3 million voters should have had access to a sausage as they voted.
Stopped by Mosman High for a coffee and a #democracysausage and met with some voters and future voters along the way. #VoteSteggallGetShorten #WarringahVotes #auspol pic.twitter.com/UitBl62otk
— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) May 18, 2019
Now this is a party we can all get behind #ausvotes #democracysausage pic.twitter.com/aPRXPu3quE
— Paul Hamer MP (@paulhamermp) May 17, 2019
Of those, 120 booths were described as “perfect” – so-called because they served sausage, cake, bacon and eggs, vegetarian options and coffee.
Overall, (thanks to some very late reports) we now have 2215 #democracysausage booths – which means over 4.3 million (or 42% of) voters today should have had access to a #democracysausage
— Democracy Sausage (@DemSausage) May 18, 2019
Overall, there were 120 'perfect' booths – those offering #democracysausage, cake, bacon and eggs, vegetarian options and coffee.
— Democracy Sausage (@DemSausage) May 18, 2019
The account added that the winner of the “Sizzling Award for commitment to democracy sausage” was Fenner, in the Australian Capital Territory, where 95.4% of voters were “expected to have access to a sausage”.
With counting about to start, it’s time for team @demsausage to sign off and start enjoying the best of @AntonyGreenABC. But first: some stats. First up, here’s an animation of the activity as we added stalls throughout today #democracysausage pic.twitter.com/5Q2ayKzei6
— Democracy Sausage (@DemSausage) May 18, 2019