Democracy Sausage at the Federal Election

 Voting in Australia is compulsory, even on really cold rainy days. As we set off in the car to the local state school to cast my vote, we shivered in the 22 C (72 F) and needed our rain jackets. I wore my old Lands End warm jacket that I've had since the 80's and it was the first time since we came to Oz. I am now officially a wimp.

I voted in a state election last year and the line of voters extended out of view along the covered pathway in the background. Today, I just walked straight in.

Since I was the only customer, I said hello to all the people handing out 'How To Vote' cards, even these One Nation and United Australia supporters. Interestingly, they thanked me for not totally ignoring them, but I am proud to say they came in at #5 and #6 on my vote for the House of Representatives. 

The Labor person who I numbered 2 after the Greens in the lower house (House of Representatives). Australia has a preferential voting system and you have to number all the candidates in order for your vote to be legal. It's a great idea.

Voting for the upper house (Senate) is even more complicated and you are handed a sheet of paper about four feet wide. If you are interested, you can read about the voting procedure here.

I walked into a classroom that served as the voting chamber and went to a desk womaned by three ladies. One of them asked for my name and address and my name was checked off in a book of names and addresses of eligible voters. After the election, the marks from each book in the electorate are copied to a master copy to determine who voted more than once or did not vote at all. There is no need to produce identification. 

Interestingly, my electorate is Hinkler and 57.2% of voters had already cast their votes at pre-polling booths. It would have been a good idea since the forecast for Saturday was rain all day.

Some of the 'how to vote' cards.

And of course, I treated myself to a 'Democracy Sausage' at the stall run by the Parents Association at the school.

Even though I got a little wet, I was glad to get it over and done with before the big blob of rain swooped down from the northwest.

The political ads on TV seem to be endless, but they only last for about a month. Australian elections can be called at any time by the Prime Minister with a maximum three-year term.