Australia tells America: Here’s how to fix your voting system

The dirty work of democracy is often compared to the making of sausages, but Australians almost take that maxim literally — turning Election Day into a countrywide barbecue, in which the grilling of hot dogs is optional but voting is compulsory.

More than 96 percent of eligible Australians are enrolled to vote. Of those, more than 90 percent typically turn out to cast ballots for a federal election, far more than the 55 percent of eligible Americans who participated in the 2016 presidential election.

Australians are induced to vote with both sticks and carrots. Shirkers can be fined up to nearly 80 Australian dollars if they fail to show at the polls. But voting, which always takes place on a Saturday, is also made easy and efficient, and is often accompanied by a community barbecue that includes eating what locals affectionately call “democracy sausages.”

Since 1924, Australian citizens over the age of 18 have been required to vote in federal elections, by-elections and referendums. In the decades since, overall voter turnout has never dipped below 90 percent, although there has been a slight downward trend in recent years.

Other countries that require citizens to vote include Argentina, Egypt, Singapore, Switzerland and Turkey.

Unlike in the United States, where voters must cram in a trip to the polls on a workday, federal elections in Australia are always held on a Saturday.

There are also plenty of ways to vote if you cannot make it to your polling place, including postal ballots and overseas embassies.

Voting is a legal requirement and failure to do so comes with a penalty.

Fines range from AU$20 for missing a federal election, up to AU$79 for skipping a state poll.

Voters, however, are allowed to appeal a fine and explain why they failed to participate.