Australia's compulsory electoral voting system means most adults* have to play a role
In previous elections this provided an opportunity for the schools selected to host AEC voting centres, as everyone nearby would visit their hall on the nominated Saturday.
However, recent elections have seen a massive shift in voting behaviour as people choose to get their electoral duties out of the way ahead of time.
As a result, the schools' P&C committees no longer run fundraising like cake stalls and sausage sizzles.
It's a remarkable shift in Australian suburban culture that reflects the growing isolation of individuals, as they shun community groups like P&Cs and no longer linger outside the school hall to catch-up with locals.
Six years ago I predicted the demise of "democracy sausage" when I posted this meme on Facebook and, while the recent election result was an improvement on previous years, it is surprising to see there were no sausage sizzles on my path to the voting booth last week.
* -- I acknowledge that not all adult Australians will vote, and it's not just the "donkeys" as prisoners and some of those serving in the armed forces or police will avoid having their name on the electoral roll.
