Anyone who goes to the polls in Australia can fortify themselves afterwards with a sausage - the "Democracy Sausage".

The enticing aroma of sizzling sausages is an integral part of every election in Australia. Traditionally, many polling stations have a grill where voters can fortify themselves with a type of hot dog (a sausage in a soft bun with onions, mustard, and ketchup): the so-called "Democracy Sausage."

The tradition is now popular far beyond the borders of Down Under: Even at the Australian research station Casey Station in Antarctica, scientists were supposed to be given democracy sausages after voting by telephone.

Nowadays, there are also vegetarian alternatives and coffee and cake stands. Schools and community groups raise money for charities at the barbecues.

"Don't forget to support your local community and grab a democracy sausage or a slice of cake while you're there!" wrote the Australian Electoral Commission on X. Around 18 million Australians are called upon to elect a new parliament by this evening.

According to the Museum of Australian Democracy, the term "democracy sausage" originated around 2010 when a website listed all polling stations with barbecue stalls in Brisbane. The phrase quickly became a household name, and was named Word of the Year by the Australian National Dictionary in 2016. For the current vote, volunteers created a nationwide map highlighting more than 2,500 barbecue stalls.

While the word is relatively new, the treats themselves have been a staple at every election for many years. This is partly due to the fact that voting is compulsory in Australia, which always attracts large crowds. Charity barbecues are therefore extremely lucrative. Volunteers on the "Democracy Sausage" website on X joked that the grilled sausages are "practically part of the Australian constitution."