Winston Churchill's quote on democracy sums up the election process perfectly.
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"No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise," he said during a speech to the House of Commons in 1947.
"Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."
Since 2007, when Kevin Rudd beat John Howard in the federal election, the constant leadership spills from both major parties and backstabbing in the party room has given Australians justification for not trusting politicians.
The most common phrase heard is to "get on with the job".
It is this job that the politicians have been pitching, over the past year for the non-official campaign and the official campaign for five weeks, to voters in order to be elected, re-elected or form government.
They have attempted to engage with disengaged or disillusioned voters and sure-up the marginal seats, including Bass, Lyons and Braddon.
University lecturers and philosophers have differing opinions on whether compulsory voting or non-compulsory voting is closer to the concept of true democracy.
Regardless of whether you think you should have to vote or not, the value of freedom should not be ignored.
Many people around the world are jailed for expressing their views or criticising the government, ballots are rigged and accountability is all a ruse if it even exists at all.
Here in Australia, we can express our political views without fear of retribution. That is a right many die fighting for.
It was why all votes should be counted. Here at The Examiner we will not tell you who to vote for, but we will tell you to cast an educated vote.
Take your time to revisit the key policies and decide who is best to lead us through what is a pivotal moment in our history.
Make your vote count, enjoy a democracy sausage and join us for all the election results from 6pm at www.examiner.com.au.