The curse of the sausage: laws, expectation and complexity in modern elections
Tom Rogers, Australian Electoral Commissioner, delivered the 25th Annual Geoffrey Sawer Lecture on 26 Oct 2023: His lecture was titled 'The curse of the sausage: laws, expectation and complexity in modern elections'.
Australians enjoy a peaceful voting environment during federal electoral events. Australian elections are known as a festival of democracy; inextricably linked in the public consciousness with the democracy sausage — or ballot falafel or cake. This festive and normally calm environment creates an image that electoral administration is easy. We have created a perception that federal elections are as relaxed as a barbeque on a Saturday afternoon. However, federal elections are Australia’s largest and most complex logistical peacetime activity.