SA moves to block preference deals

Voting changes to prevent complicated preference deals electing minor party or independent candidates with just a small percentage of primary support have been introduced to the South Australian parliament.

Under the proposed changes people who choose to vote for a party or group above the line in the state's upper house will not have their votes flow on to other groups because of preference deals.

Parties will no longer register a voting ticket to indicate preference flows, just a list of their own candidates.

Attorney-General John Rau says with no votes flowing beyond the party or group originally selected, electors will not end up unwittingly supporting candidates they don't agree with.

"People want a system where their ballot translates simply to votes for the particular candidates they choose, not a lottery," Mr Rau said.

"Using preference swaps to game the system, as is possible under current arrangements, undermines public confidence in the election process."