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Vote for Harambe: Australian election gives second life to Cincinatti zoo gorilla Vote for Harambe: Australian election gives second life to Cincinnati zoo gorilla
(about 1 hour later)
Could Australia’s next prime minister be Harambe, the gorilla that died?Could Australia’s next prime minister be Harambe, the gorilla that died?
As is often the case with headlines posed as questions, the answer is: no.As is often the case with headlines posed as questions, the answer is: no.
But the federal election has gotten caught up in Australian Twitter users’ running joke about the gorilla that was shot dead at Cincinnati zoo in late May after a toddler fell into his enclosure. But the federal election has got caught up in Australian Twitter users’ running joke about the gorilla that was shot dead at Cincinnati zoo in late May after a toddler fell into his enclosure.
Related: Australian federal election 2016: Labor scents hung parliament – politics liveRelated: Australian federal election 2016: Labor scents hung parliament – politics live
Harambe has found life after death online as a meme-ish punchline on social media – partly in response to the interminable online “takes” over whether or not his death was justified and partly because of the intrinsic callousness of the internet.Harambe has found life after death online as a meme-ish punchline on social media – partly in response to the interminable online “takes” over whether or not his death was justified and partly because of the intrinsic callousness of the internet.
With the longest federal election campaign since the 1960s, it was inevitable that Harambe-Twitter and #auspol-Twitter would eventually overlap.With the longest federal election campaign since the 1960s, it was inevitable that Harambe-Twitter and #auspol-Twitter would eventually overlap.
i am going to consider every major event of 2016 a part of harambe's revengei am going to consider every major event of 2016 a part of harambe's revenge
This whole election season is just a ploy to distract us from Harambe's deathThis whole election season is just a ploy to distract us from Harambe's death
⚪️ Liberal ⚪️ Labour⚫️ HARAMBE⚪️ Liberal ⚪️ Labour⚫️ HARAMBE
jobs, growth and justice for harambe (the gorilla who died) #ausvotesjobs, growth and justice for harambe (the gorilla who died) #ausvotes
rip harambe, the gorilla who died #electionin6wordsrip harambe, the gorilla who died #electionin6words
i did the vote compass thing but just answered "harambe" for every write in questioni did the vote compass thing but just answered "harambe" for every write in question
will vote for whoever comes out publicly saying they would not have shot harambewill vote for whoever comes out publicly saying they would not have shot harambe
Is my senate vote still valid if I write in Harambe (the gorilla who died) as a candidateIs my senate vote still valid if I write in Harambe (the gorilla who died) as a candidate
when you vote, keep harambe in mindwhen you vote, keep harambe in mind
Honour Harambe: vote for the dead gorilla. #auspolHonour Harambe: vote for the dead gorilla. #auspol
On Saturday, election day, some shared evidence of their following through, writing in Harambe’s name on their ballot papers in a bid to show just how far they would go for a gag.On Saturday, election day, some shared evidence of their following through, writing in Harambe’s name on their ballot papers in a bid to show just how far they would go for a gag.
Bless him pic.twitter.com/mX8cq4HyugBless him pic.twitter.com/mX8cq4Hyug
@MarkDiStef pic.twitter.com/F5U4iNxCVm@MarkDiStef pic.twitter.com/F5U4iNxCVm
What is the swing to Harambe? And who was the gorilla who died preferencing?What is the swing to Harambe? And who was the gorilla who died preferencing?
In response to a freelance journalist based in the United Kingdom who inquired to ask “why are you voting for Harambe” for a story, “@worstbloke” replied: “this election has no one with the courage, prowess & status Harambe has. He died for our sins & will return, I love him”.In response to a freelance journalist based in the United Kingdom who inquired to ask “why are you voting for Harambe” for a story, “@worstbloke” replied: “this election has no one with the courage, prowess & status Harambe has. He died for our sins & will return, I love him”.
“Well i think we Aussies feel our government should have done more to save Harambe and now we’re voting for his corpse,” another user told her.“Well i think we Aussies feel our government should have done more to save Harambe and now we’re voting for his corpse,” another user told her.
While it is strictly true that Australians voted for the gorilla that died on the strength of the above images, it likely did not void their votes for actual, living candidates that matter.While it is strictly true that Australians voted for the gorilla that died on the strength of the above images, it likely did not void their votes for actual, living candidates that matter.
If the ballot paper was otherwise completed correctly, they would not be counted as informal votes, as was clarified by several Twitter users who had proof from the Australian Electoral Commission.If the ballot paper was otherwise completed correctly, they would not be counted as informal votes, as was clarified by several Twitter users who had proof from the Australian Electoral Commission.
@ahcayley We will still count the vote if it is numbered correctly@ahcayley We will still count the vote if it is numbered correctly
not my best work but i didn't have much time pic.twitter.com/fpcGNCO3Dqnot my best work but i didn't have much time pic.twitter.com/fpcGNCO3Dq
What if I just want to draw a butterfly? Or does it have to be a dick? @AusElectoralCom pic.twitter.com/S87HS3PnpRWhat if I just want to draw a butterfly? Or does it have to be a dick? @AusElectoralCom pic.twitter.com/S87HS3PnpR
@ahcayley I drew a little person waving and smiling and saying ‘thanks for counting’ but dicks are cool too I guess@ahcayley I drew a little person waving and smiling and saying ‘thanks for counting’ but dicks are cool too I guess
Can I respectfully suggest to @AusElectoralCom that we get a separate national 'dick and balls' tally ... Would be an interesting number.Can I respectfully suggest to @AusElectoralCom that we get a separate national 'dick and balls' tally ... Would be an interesting number.
If the ballot paper was otherwise completed accurately, a vote for Harambe – or any other gag – still counts. Just not for the gorilla that died, obviously.If the ballot paper was otherwise completed accurately, a vote for Harambe – or any other gag – still counts. Just not for the gorilla that died, obviously.
Remember that on Saturday you cannot vote for Harambe. Firstly, he is not an Australian citizen. Secondly he is a gorilla. Also, he died.Remember that on Saturday you cannot vote for Harambe. Firstly, he is not an Australian citizen. Secondly he is a gorilla. Also, he died.
Look, whatever boosts the youth turn-out.Look, whatever boosts the youth turn-out.