SA Libs move to block prisoners voting

The South Australian Opposition will move to block people jailed for three years or more from voting until they have been released.

The Liberals will present legislation to state parliament that will essentially bring SA into line with most other states and territories, which impose some form of voting ban.

The federal government also bans prisoners voting if they are serving three years or more.

"When a person commits a crime so serious that he or she is sentenced for three or more years, then one of the many rights that should be taken away is the right to vote in elections," correctional services spokesman Dan van Holst Pellekaan said.

Restrictions in other states range from offenders jailed for one year or more in NSW to those jailed for five years or more in Victoria.

Mr van Holst Pellekaan said once a prisoner was released their voting rights would be immediately restored.