1913 Lyttelton by-election

1913 Lyttelton by-election

← 1911 general 16 December 1913 (1913-12-16) 1914 general →
Turnout5,030
 
Candidate James McCombs Malcolm Miller
Party Social Democrat Reform
Popular vote 2,628 2,402
Percentage 52.25% 47.75%

Member before election

George Laurenson
Liberal

Elected Member

James McCombs
Social Democrat

The Lyttelton by-election of 1913 was a by-election during the 18th New Zealand Parliament. As no candidate won an absolute majority on the first ballot on 9 December, a second round was held on 16 December.[1] The seat had become vacant due to the death of sitting MP George Laurenson. Five candidates stood. It was the last by-election in New Zealand to use the Two-round voting system to elect a member.

Results

The following tables give the election results:

First ballot

1913 Lyttelton by-election: First ballot
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Social Democrat James McCombs 2,075 42.20
Reform Malcolm Miller 1,560 31.73
Liberal James Laurenson 922 18.75
Independent Liberal Henry Thacker 263 5.35
Independent William Radcliffe 97 1.97
Turnout 4,917

The two highest candidates were McCombs and Miller, so they contested the second ballot.

Second ballot

1913 Lyttelton by-election: Second ballot
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Social Democrat James McCombs 2,628 52.25
Reform Malcolm Miller 2,402 47.75
Majority 226 4.50
Turnout 5,030
Social Democrat gain from Liberal Swing

References

  1. ^ "Mr McCombs Returned". Northern Advocate. 17 December 1913. p. 4. Retrieved 13 August 2011.