1858 New South Wales colonial election
← 1856 13 January 1858 –
12 February 1858		 1859 →
All 54 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
28 Assembly seats were needed for a majority
 
Leader Charles Cowper
Leader's seat Sydney City
Premier before election

Charles Cowper

 Elected Premier

Charles Cowper

The 1858 New South Wales colonial election was held between 13 January and 12 February 1858. This election was for all of the 54 seats in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and it was conducted in 18 single-member constituencies, 13 2-member constituencies, two 3-member constituencies and one 4-member constituency, all with a first past the post system. Suffrage was limited to adult white males. The previous parliament of New South Wales was dissolved on 19 December 1857 by the Governor, Sir William Denison, on the advice of the Premier, Charles Cowper.

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

Key dates

Date Event
19 December 1857 The Legislative Assembly was dissolved, and writs were issued by the Governor to proceed with an election.
12 January to 1 February 1858 Nominations for candidates for the election closed.
13 January to 12 February 1858 Polling days.
23 March 1858 Opening of new Parliament.

Results

New South Wales colonial election, 13 January 1858 – 12 February 1858
Legislative Assembly
<< 1856–1859 >>

Enrolled voters
Votes cast 38,924 Turnout 43.09 −5.42
Informal votes 0 Informal 0.00 +0.00
Summary of votes by party
Party Primary votes % Swing Seats Change
Total 38,924     54  

References

See also

Categories