1864–65 New South Wales colonial election

New South Wales colonial election, 1864–65
← 1860 22 November 1864 –
10 January 1865		 1869–70 →
All 72 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
37 Assembly seats were needed for a majority
  First party Second party
 
Leader Charles Cowper James Martin
Party Opposition Government
Leader's seat East Sydney Tumut (elected to Lachlan and Monaro)
Seats before 36[1] 29[1]
Seats won 48[2][1] 19[2][1]
Seat change Increase 12 Decrease 10
Results of the election, showing winners in each seat. Seats without member charts indicate the electorate returned one member.
Premier before election

James Martin

 Elected Premier

Charles Cowper

The 1864–65 New South Wales colonial election was held between 22 November 1864 and 10 January 1865. This election was for all of the 72 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in 52 single-member constituencies, six 2-member constituencies and two 4-member constituencies, all with a first past the post system.[3] The previous parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 10 November 1864 by the Governor, Sir John Young, on the advice of the Premier, James Martin. Suffrage was limited to adult white males.

There was no recognisable party structure at this election; instead the government was determined by a loose, shifting factional system.

Key dates

Date Event
10 November 1864 The Legislative Assembly was dissolved, and writs were issued by the Governor to proceed with an election.
21 November to 23 December 1864 Nominations for candidates for the election closed.
22 November 1864 to 10 January 1865 Polling days.
24 January 1865 Opening of new Parliament.

Results

Main article: Results of the 1864–65 New South Wales colonial election

New South Wales colonial election, 22 November 1864 – 10 January 1865 [3]
Legislative Assembly
<< 1860–1869–70 >>

Enrolled voters 111,302
Votes cast 66,775 Turnout 51.40 [a] +8.49
Informal votes 156 Informal 0.36 +0.19
Summary of votes by party
Party Primary votes % Swing Seats Change
Total 66,775     72  
  1. ^ There were 15 uncontested districts and turnout is based on the roll of 84,683 for the contested districts.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "THE APPEAL TO THE COUNTRY, AND ITS RESULT". Illawarra Mercury. Vol. X, no. XXVII. New South Wales, Australia. 3 January 1865. p. 2. Retrieved 31 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ a b "RESULTS OF THE ELECTION". The Advertiser. Vol. XXVII, no. 2622. Tasmania, Australia. 30 January 1865. p. 2. Retrieved 31 May 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ a b c Green, Antony. "1864-65 election totals". New South Wales Election Results 1856-2007. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 21 September 2019.

See also