The Legislative Council is South Australia's upper house. On 21 March 2026, you'll vote for 11 of the 22 members in a statewide election with different rules than the House of Assembly.
Your Legislative Council ballot paper is divided by a thick black line. You can vote above the line OR below the line—but not both.
Quick and simple
Full control over preferences
Click on parties (above the line) or candidates (below the line) to see how voting works. Remember: vote above OR below, not both!
The Legislative Council uses proportional representation. To win a seat, a candidate needs to reach a "quota" of votes.
For 11 seats being elected:
What this means: A party or candidate needs about 8.33% of the statewide vote to guarantee one seat. With ~1.2 million voters, that's roughly 100,000 votes per seat.
Illustrative example based on 2022 primary votes
Here's who currently sits in the Legislative Council. Members with terms expiring in 2026 are up for re-election.
If you want specific independents or candidates from different parties elected, vote below the line to control exactly where your preferences go.
Whether above or below the line, numbering more choices means your vote keeps working if your early preferences are elected or eliminated.
If voting above the line, know where your preferences will flow. Parties publish their preference deals before the election.
If you vote both above AND below the line, only your above-the-line vote counts. Pick one method and stick with it.