Voters can’t stop tweeting about Democracy Sausages

The biggest question on voters’ minds today is not Labor or Liberal — it’s whether this democracy sausage is too expensive.

Adrianna Zappavigna

less than 2 min read

May 18, 2019 - 5:12PM

What is an Australian federal election without a sausage sizzle?

It’s a sacred rite of passage for most voters, and it makes queuing up at the polling booths on a glorious Saturday a little more bearable.

In a remarkable testament to Australian culture, the iconic #DemocracySausage has inspired 2.2 million tweets during the election campaign, making it one of the most tweeted topics of the campaign trail.

More than 1500 stalls registered, which means more than three million voters will have access to #DemocracySausages today.

But how much is too much? It is, after all, just a slice of bread, with a sausage and a few onions. News.com.au has spotted sausages with a $5 price tag at booths across Australia, and voters are not happy.

High price of democracy. Is $5 for a #democracysausage too much? @NKallios thinks so. #auspol #ausvotes pic.twitter.com/ALHMNlEVVt
— Phoebe Bowden (@PhoebeBowden) 17 May 2019

Some booths have started offering vegetarian, vegan and halal options. And if snags aren’t your thing, bacon and egg rolls and cakes are also on offer.

Find your nearest Democracy Sausage via this handy registered map, or choose the best place to get your sizzle on according to Twitter reviews — there are plenty.

Find your nearest polling place and check where your can grab cakes and a #democracysausage while you cast your vote! #auspol #AUSVote2019 ðŸ“·: @WenleiMa https://t.co/Nw6qjyAPlY pic.twitter.com/bR61m5I43k
— news.com.au (@newscomauHQ) May 17, 2019

#DemocracySausage menu at Camdenville Public School (not my pic. #AUSVote2019 #auspol pic.twitter.com/4XfwQlFWix
— Stacy Farrar (@FarrarStacy) 17 May 2019

I voted #democracysausage #australiavotes pic.twitter.com/YmxbGiYR61
— Th3Madwalrus (@Th3Madwalrus) 17 May 2019

Happy Sausage Sizzle Day Australia. Choose wisely.... Tomato sauce or BBQ sauce.#ausvotes
— Scott Bailey (@scottbailey23) 17 May 2019

My fellow Aussies enjoy your democracy sausage today! #ausvotes
— Chrissy Nicole ðŸŒº (@kwisssy_) 17 May 2019

Is there a polling booth in the Kingsford Smith electorate that does a vegan democracy sausage?
— Hebe (@thetuftybit) 17 May 2019

Off to a good start at our local polling booth - democracy snags at the ready.#Auspol #Ausvotes pic.twitter.com/PWN7QJ5137
— Cheryl Critchley (@CherylCritchley) 17 May 2019

#democracysausage @DemSausage really delicious bacon and egg rolls, and snags, at Glenferrie Primary School - 5â! (Coffee 3â, too bitter for me) #Kooyong #kooyongVotes pic.twitter.com/okFlpzPpfe
— Ghost (@11thGhost) 17 May 2019

Worst democracy sausage #auspol #AusVotes2019 pic.twitter.com/IN6Nxx11KD
— Luke Mansillo (@mansillo) 17 May 2019

Holding someoneâ€™s spot in the line while they grab a #DemocracySausage is real #mateship. #aussievalues #ausvotes19
— Kelly Clark (@dblplusgoodful) 18 May 2019

Now this is a party we can all get behind #ausvotes #democracysausage pic.twitter.com/aPRXPu3quE
— Paul Hamer MP (@paulhamermp) 17 May 2019

Democracy sausage dog #democracysausage pic.twitter.com/hFfooa6d6l
— allrite (@allrite) 17 May 2019

#DemocracySausage with the wonderful Nadia Clancy. Labor for Boothby. Vote for change. #AUSVote19 pic.twitter.com/iTzXBYzzK0
— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) 18 May 2019

Voted early. Still popped into the local primary school for a snag.
In fact, I told the nice lady my boyfriend was lining up to vote so Iâ€™d need 2.
Then ate 2 in my car. Alone. #ausvotes pic.twitter.com/exICmmMmF5
— Tully Smyth (@tee_smyth) 18 May 2019

Wait...
so in Australia.
When you vote.
You can get a sausage?
From a grill?
For voting?
Those "I voted stickers" are looking pretty shit right now.#DemocracySausage
— Jesse Cox (@JesseCox) 18 May 2019

l will be launching a High Court challenge to whatever the result of todayâ€™s election is. I visted 2 polling booths, and NEITHER of them had democracy sausages!! This is an outrage, and there is no way this can be considered a free and fair election. #AusPol
— Rhys Thomas (@DrGetafix) 18 May 2019

While the sausage sizzle is a hallmark of election day in Australia, this year, the obsession’s gone global. Expats casting their votes overseas have shared pictures of sizzles at consulates — including London, New York, Tokyo, Berlin, Kuala Lumpur and Vanuatu.

Giving the Australian Consulate General in New York a bit of competition with a #democracysausage ðŸŒ cook-off for staff at the Embassy. Voting in #DC closes tomorrow at 2pm Aussies. Donâ€™t forget to vote! #auspol #auspolitics #ausintheus @ElliotJStein pic.twitter.com/iY3A6UxN7E
— Australia in the US (@AusintheUS) 16 May 2019

When you already sent a postal vote but turn up to @AusHouseLondon just for the snags #AusVotes19 #democracysausage pic.twitter.com/zV3Z0ReYH7
— Stacey Fenton (@staceyfenton) 11 May 2019

It was great to see Labor leader Bill Shorten has learnt from his mistakes and now knows how to eat a democracy sausage. He was mocked in the 2016 federal election campaign when he bit the middle of the sausage sandwich. Today he managed to bite the end. Phew.

The obligatory #DemocracySausage shot, this time he didn't bite from the middle #AusVotes2019 pic.twitter.com/yBkfsKI5Cp
— Charis Chang (@CharisChang2) 18 May 2019

And we were impressed with this polling booth’s nod to Tony Abbott and the time he ate a raw onion.