A voting method used in Senate elections (and some state upper house elections) where a voter can cast a single vote for a registered political party or group, rather than numbering every individual candidate. The party then distributes preferences according to its registered order of candidates. Above the line voting was introduced to simplify the often lengthy Senate ballot paper. Since 2016 federal reforms, voters are encouraged to number at least six parties or groups above the line, giving them greater control over how their preferences flow.