The Democracy Sausage: How barbecues became a civic bond

In Australia, voting day isn't simply a matter of voting, but it often involves a grilled sausage in bread, topped with onions and a sprinkle of tomato sauce.

- TDG NETWORK

While Australians waited in line to vote on Saturday, many were anticipating a much-loved tradition: "The Democracy Sausage".

These popular sausage sizzles, which are also referred to as 'snags in bread', usually stand outside polling booths. With time, they have become representative of civic responsibility, deliciously and enjoyably.

Indeed, the word 'democracy sausage' was voted Australia's Word of the Year in 2016, demonstrating just how much it's embedded in national culture. "It's part of the Australian Constitution," jokes a site that monitors such stalls in real time during elections.

THE STORY BEHIND THE SAUSAGE TRADITION