Michael Daley’s Democracy Sausage was topped with onions while Gladys Berejiklian’s were underneath

In a state election that has been tipped to be one of the closest in decades, social media has been divided over one very important issue – but it’s not what you think. 

More than four million people voted in the NSW state election on Saturday, but it wasn’t who to choose as Premier that left people torn – but rather whose sausage sandwich was best.    

While voters everywhere enjoyed the Australian tradition of opting for a Democracy Sausage after casting their vote, the ritual has once again rehashed safety concerns. 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured right) eats a sausage roll alongside Liberal candidate for East Hills Wendy Lindsay (left) during a visit to the Revesby Public School on Saturday

Last year, the issue of onions being a slip hazard caused national outrage when Bunnings introduced its sausage sizzle safety rules.

Under the controversial rules, those running charity BBQs were to serve onions underneath sausages so they didn’t fall out and become a slipping hazard. 

Both NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Opposition Leader Michael Daley enjoyed a snag on Saturday, but each had very different views on how it should be served.

Ms Berejiklian was first to share a pic of herself tucking into a snag at Willoughby Public School, in Sydney’s north, along with the caption ‘#democracysausage time’. 

She ordered her sausage with onions and barbecue sauce, and it wasn’t long before social media users were quick to question where the onions had been placed. 

Following her post, Twitter users were quick to slam the NSW premier for having onions on top of her sausage. 

It has been confirmed that Ms Berejiklian's sausage was eaten with onions under the sausage

It has been confirmed that Ms Berejiklian’s sausage was eaten with onions under the sausage 

Opposition Leader Michael Daley found room to devour his sausage with: 'Onions on top'

Opposition Leader Michael Daley found room to devour his sausage with: ‘Onions on top’

‘These two women have ONIONS ON TOP OF THE SANGER @Bunnings will be horrified,’ one person wrote.  

‘Opppps..Onion on the top!’ another person said. 

A third person added: ‘Very dangerous.’

Despite the backlash, it has since been confirmed Ms Berejiklian’s sausage was eaten according to Bunnings’ safety-first rules, with the onions being underneath.  

Mr Daley decided to cast his vote at Chifley Public School in Sydney’s east, where he initially opted out of the Australian tradition and tucked into a meat pie instead.

One onions-on-top user tweeted: 'And to those voting in the NSW election today, it's vitally important that you remember, the onion goes on top of the sausage'

One onions-on-top user tweeted: ‘And to those voting in the NSW election today, it’s vitally important that you remember, the onion goes on top of the sausage’

Another user who was against onions, tweeted: '#dogsatpollingstations with a side of #democracysausages served with onions on the bottom'

Another user who was against onions, tweeted: ‘#dogsatpollingstations with a side of #democracysausages served with onions on the bottom’

When he finally decided to partake and devour a sausage on two pieces of bread, he shared a pic of himself on Twitter, along with the cheeky caption: ‘Onions on top’.

‘Perfectly done,’ one Twitter user replied to the Opposition Leader’s post.

But it wasn’t just the candidates who had a clear difference of opinion, with many social media users taking to Twitter to share pics of their preferred method.

One onions-on-top user tweeted: ‘And to those voting in the NSW election today, it’s vitally important that you remember, the onion goes on top of the sausage.’

Another user, who was against onions as a topping, tweeted: ‘#dogsatpollingstations with a side of #democracysausages served with onions on the bottom.’  

Voters across New South Wales enjoyed a Democracy Sausage in the sunshine on Saturday ahead of an election that's tipped to be one of the closest in decades

Voters across New South Wales enjoyed a Democracy Sausage in the sunshine on Saturday ahead of an election that’s tipped to be one of the closest in decades

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison eats a sausage roll at the Sylvania Heights Public School, on 2019 New South Wales election day in Sydney

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison eats a sausage roll at the Sylvania Heights Public School, on 2019 New South Wales election day in Sydney

This person opted to have their Democracy Sausage served with controversial onions on top

This person opted to have their Democracy Sausage served with controversial onions on top

Social media has been flooded with posts featuring #democracysausage as New South Wales residents hit the polling booths

Social media has been flooded with posts featuring #democracysausage as New South Wales residents hit the polling booths

All snags aside, Ms Berejiklian is on Saturday aiming to become the first popularly-elected female Premier in NSW history – and based on the latest polls, this is now a distinct possibility. 

‘It’s going to be really really tight and I think today the people will decide for themselves but I don’t want to see NSW go backwards,’ she told Today.

‘We’re building for the future now, we’ve got a strong economy, we’re helping taking pressure off families and that’s where I want to see NSW [go] into the future.’ 

Speaking to Sydney Morning Herald outside Chifley Public School, Mr Daley said the polls had been tight.

Voting was underway at Timbumburi Public School (pictured), the school was promoting the Democracy Sausage

Voting was underway at Timbumburi Public School (pictured), the school was promoting the Democracy Sausage 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian stuck with the Australian tradition by eating a sausage after casting her vote on Saturday

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian stuck with the Australian tradition by eating a sausage after casting her vote on Saturday

‘(It was) easier 30 years ago when the voting patterns were different. People chop and change – that’s not a bad thing. You have to work harder for that vote.’ 

Nearly 1.1 million people took advantage of early voting, with about one-in-five making their decision at pre-poll centres or via the post, internet or telephone.

A special Newspoll, published in The Weekend Australian, suggested the coalition is ahead of Labor 51-49 on a two-party preferred basis.

A similar result at the election would see Ms Berejiklian lose six seats, meaning she would need the support of at least one independent from the crossbench to form a government.

Michael Daley (pictured) partakes in a sausage on Saturday after rising early to vote

Michael Daley (pictured) partakes in a Democracy Sausage on Saturday after rising early to vote

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison cooks sausages with daughter Lily (centre) alongside the NSW Liberal candidate for Miranda, Eleni Petinos at the Sylvania Heights Public School, on 2019 New South Wales election day

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison cooks sausages with daughter Lily (centre) alongside the NSW Liberal candidate for Miranda, Eleni Petinos at the Sylvania Heights Public School, on 2019 New South Wales election day

If the Coalition win on Saturday, it would be the first time since 1971 that a Liberal Party-led government in NSW had won a third consecutive term and Ms Berejiklian would become the first popularly elected female premier in NSW history.

The Newspoll showed the Coalition has lost support outside Sydney, with a six per cent slump in primary-vote support to 39 per cent, deadlocking it with Labor at 50-50 on a two-party-preferred basis.

Ms Berejiklian leads Labor leader Michael Daley 43 to 35 as preferred premier, but 22 per cent of voters remained uncommitted.

Mr Daley’s disapproval rating rose nine points from 38 per cent to 47 and his satisfaction rating dropped five points from 37 to 32.

Voters got their hands on Democracy Sausages on offer across New South Wales on Saturday

Voters got their hands on Democracy Sausages on offer across New South Wales on Saturday

Election day means Democracy Sausages in Australia and voters clambered to get their mouths around one on Saturday

Election day means Democracy Sausages in Australia and voters clambered to get their mouths around one on Saturday

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk