Just 14 Heartwarming Photos Of Election Ballot Papers (And A Democracy Sausage)

Pencil + Paper + Ink = Democracy.

1. They might be just bits of paper with ink on them, but in Australia they represent DEMOCRACY AT WORK!

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2. We have little green ballot papers for the House of Representatives (aka the lower house)...

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3. And big white ballot papers for the Senate (upper house).

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4. Look at how YEWDGE it is! And look at the tiny cardboard voting booths. Origami required.

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5. Here's one at full stretch.

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6. If you don't vote in Australia you cop a fine. Being a famous sporting type on tour in India is no excuse.

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7. Once you've voted on the big sheet, fold once, fold twice, fold thrice, and then wedge into the cardboard democracy box.

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8. If you're a candidate, vote for yourself and pose for a photo.

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9. And then it's time for a Democracy Sausage.

10. When the polls close, someone has to wrangle all those millions of ballots. (You'd want to be a bit careful with the pile on the right...)

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11. Just tip the ballot papers onto a fold-up table. Collect ballots on the floor.

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12. Seasoned ballot counters travel with rubber finger tips.

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13. If you make a counting error someone behind you will notice.

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14. Imagine if you went to the ATM and it just started spewing out lower house ballot papers. I can't pay for my Pad Thai with ballot papers!

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15. Just a big neat wad of Australian Democracy for you here...

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