The trusty democracy sausage is a time-honoured tradition on polling day, allowing voters to enjoy a snag for a local good cause. The term ‘democracy sausage' was coined around 2010, but community organisations have run cake stalls to capitalise on the election day atmosphere since voting was made compulsory in 1924.

In fact, the polling day barbecue is so special it warrants its own website: democracysausage.org allows Aussie voters to find sausage sizzles and cake stalls all around the country. 

“The Democracy Sausage remains as strong as ever in Australia – we anticipate that over one-third of voting places will have some form of fundraiser available on election day this year,” says Alex Dawson, a member of the Democracy Sausage team.

“Our own site serves out information on sausage sizzles, cake stands and other fundraisers to millions of Aussies each federal election, with at least 25% of voters using it to find out if there are fundraisers at their polling place.

“We're very proud of our role in connecting Australians with fundraisers, and think the success of these fundraising efforts shows how much Australians care about each other and are happy to help others.”

This Federal Election on Saturday, May 3 will be no exception. Illawarra locals can find a sausage sanga for a good cause at the following polling stations.

Cunningham electorate

• Stanwell Park Public School – The Country Women’s Association will run a cake stall, with funds donated to local charities.
• Scarborough Wombarra Surf Lifesaving Club – The surf club will serve sausage sambos and cold drinks from 8am to about 12.30pm. Funds raised will go toward a new internal storage space to be built inside the club.
• Coledale Public School – This site will have a cake stall organised by P&C.
• All Saints’ Anglican Church Austinmer – Austinmer Public School’s P&C will hold a bake sale and the church will run the barbecue from 9am until sold out.
• Thirroul District Community Centre & Library – Thirroul Public School P&C will offer sausage sizzles from 9am until sold out.
• PCYC Bulli – BBQ, cake, cold drinks. Funds raised will go toward PCYC youth programs such as Fit for Life, an early intervention program to engage young people aged 10 to 17 who are at risk of poor choices and anti-social behaviour. 
• Tarrawanna Public School – The P&C will sell sausage sizzle, cold drinks and cakes to raise funds for the school, 8am-3pm.
• Corrimal High School – Year 11 students will run a sausage sizzle from 9am.
• Towradgi Public School – P&C will run a barbecue and cake stall to raise money for a new covered outdoor learning area (COLA). Year 6 students will also be fundraising for their Year 6 farewell. On offer: sausage sizzle, cake, bacon and eggs, slices, cupcakes, cold drinks and more. 8am-3pm or until stocks run out. 
• Balgownie Public School – This P&C is offering “a sizzling democracy sausage with a side of community spirit”. Every snag sold will help them raise funds to buy laptops for students. The school is inviting voters to support their community on the day, even if they’ve voted early or elsewhere. Sausage sizzle from 8:30am-2pm. Or show your support by ordering a ‘virtual sausage’ here.
• Gwynneville Public School – A sausage sizzle and cake stall organised by P&C.
• Wollongong Public School – A sausage sizzle and cake stall organised by P&C.
• Wollongong Salvation Army – Salvos will be have a sausage sizzle, cake, bacon and eggs and fabulous craft goods, raising money for the Red Shield Appeal. Locals are encouraged to come along and do their Mother’s Day shopping from 8am-2pm.
• Nareena Hills Public School – A sausage sizzle organised by P&C.
• Lindsay Park Public School – P&C are raising money for the school from 8am-2pm. On offer: Sausage sizzle, cake stall, savoury vegetarian options, halal options, bacon and eggs, cold drinks.
• Mount St Thomas Public School – P&C offering sausage sizzle, cake stall and bacon and eggs from 8am-2pm
• Coniston Public School – School P&C will hold a barbecue and cake stall from 8am-3pm, to raise money for play equipment. They will also have a lucky dip and raffle!
• Unanderra Public School – P&C is running a stall to raise funds for hall upgrades from 8am-12pm. On offer: sausage sizzle, bacon and eggs, cake stall, vegetarian and halal options available.
• Farmborough Road Public School – P&C barbecue and cake stall to raise money for a new playground from 8am-2pm. Vegetarian options are available.
• Berkeley Public School – A sausage sizzle organised by P&C.

Whitlam electorate

• Dapto Ribbonwood Centre – Dapto Physie Club will run a stall with sausage sizzle, bacon & egg rolls, baked goods and cold drinks on offer from 8am! The funds raised will go toward activities for girls who attend the club, including workshops to increase their skills, performance wear for team competitions, social events that build connection and toward their display day for family and friends. 
• Mount Brown Public School – P&C sausage sizzle, cake stall, bacon and eggs, cold drinks 8am-2pm, raising money for the school.
• Balarang Public School – The P&C are running the stall to raise funds towards buying and installing a fixed playground for the children. Sausage sizzle, cake stall, coffee, and bacon and eggs available from 8am-4pm.
• Tullimbar Public School – The P&C is running a barbecue and cake stall. All funds raised will go towards learning resources for students. Sausage sizzle, cake stall, and bacon and eggs from 8am-12pm.
• Flinders Public School – The P&C is running a barbecue and cake stall to raise funds for the school. On offer: Sausage sizzle, cake stall, and bacon and eggs from 7.30am to 2.30pm.

Need to know

Early voting closes on Friday, May 2. You can vote at any polling place in your state or territory on polling day (Saturday, 3 May). Go to aec.gov.au to find your nearest polling place.

Postal Votes: The AEC can only legally count postal votes that are completed on or before election day and received by the AEC in Australia by the 13th day after election day.